Uridine diphosphate derivatives, compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative disorders

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to uridine di phosphate (UDP) derivatives, compositions comprising therapeutically effective amounts of those UDP derivatives and methods of using those derivatives or compositions in treating disorders that are responsive to ligands, such as agonists, of P 2 Y 6  receptor, e.g., neuronal disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer&#39;s disease) and traumatic CNS injury, as well as pain.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/323,690, filed Jul. 3, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,993), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/073,476, filed Nov. 6, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,785,620), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/791,447, filed Mar. 8, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,598,141), which is a continuation of and claims priority to PCT application PCT/US2012/58080, filed Sep. 28, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/541,919, filed Sep. 30, 2011. Each of the foregoing applications is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for treating neurodegeneration, pain and traumatic brain injury that are responsive to the P₂Y₆ receptor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

P₂Y receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are selectively activated by naturally occurring extracellular nucleotides, including, for example, adenine and pyrimidine nucleotides. There are two clusters of P₂Y receptors: the G_(q)-coupled P₂Y₁-like receptors, including P₂Y_(1,2,4,6,11) subtypes; and the G₁-coupled P₂Y₁₂-like receptors, including P₂Y_(12, 13, 14) subtypes. Of the four P₂Y receptors, i.e., P₂Y_(2, 4, 6, 14) subtypes, which can be activated by pyrimidine nucleotides, the P₂Y₂ and P₂Y₄ subtypes are activated by uridine triphosphate (UTP), P₂Y₆ is activated by uridine diphosphate (UDP), and P₂Y₁₄ is activated by UDP or UDP-glucose.

The P₂Y₆ receptor has been implicated in a number of disorders, including, for example, neurodegeneration, osteoporosis, ischemic effect in skeletal muscle, and diabetes. It has been reported that agonists of P₂Y₆ receptor counteract apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor α in astrocytoma cells and induce protection in a model of ischemic hindleg skeletal muscle. P₂Y₆ receptor was also reported to play a role in phagocytosis in microglial cells when activated by its endogenous agonist UDP. See, e.g., Malmsjo et al. BMC Pharmacol. 2003, 3, 4; Balasubramanian et al. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2010, 79, 1317-1332; Kim et al. Cell. Mol. Neurobiol. 2003, 23, 401-418; Mamedova et al. Pharmacol. Res. 2008, 58, 232-239; Korcok et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2005, 58, 232-239; and Koizumi et al. Nature, 2007, 446, 1091-1095. These reports suggest that ligands of the P₂Y₆ receptor are of interest in the search for new treatments for P₂Y₆ receptor-related conditions.

Therefore, there is a need for new ligands, such as agonists, of the P₂Y₆ receptor that are useful in therapeutic preparations for the treatment of disorders responsive to the receptor, including neurodegeneration, traumatic brain injury and pain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure addresses the aforementioned need by providing compounds of formulae I and II:

wherein the variables are as defined herein, along with pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are typically selective ligands of the P₂Y₆ receptor. In certain embodiments, the compounds as described herein are agonists of the P₂Y₆ receptor, which activate the P₂Y₆ receptor. Compounds of formulae I and II can be used to treat the conditions as described herein.

The present disclosure also provides compositions that comprise the above compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The disclosure also includes the use of the compounds disclosed herein in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of one or more of the conditions described herein.

In another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method for treating neurodegeneration, pain and traumatic brain injury in a subject in need or at risk thereof using a compound described herein.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides methods for decreasing plaque burden, improving cognitive function, decreasing or delaying cognitive impairment, improving or restoring memory, enhancing synaptic plasticity, or improving hippocampal long term potentiation by administering to a subject in need or at risk thereof a P₂Y₆ agonist. Also provided are methods of enhancing beta amyloid clearance. Subjects in need include subjects having Alzheimer's disease (including subjects suspected of having Alzheimer's disease). Additional subjects in need thereof are subjects having Down Syndrome, and administration of a P₂Y₆ agonist is used to treat Down Syndrome by, for example, improving cognitive function, decreasing cognitive impairment, improving or restoring memory, improving hippocampal long term potentiation, enhancing synaptic plasticity, or enhancing clearance of beta amyloid. Exemplary P₂Y₆ agonists are disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows two-photon microscopy images of the amyloid plaques labeled with methoxyX04 in the barrel cortex in living PSAPP mice: (A) image on day 1; (B) magnified view of the portion of the image in the white box in FIG. 1A, in which the blood plasma was labeled with Rhodamine dextran; (C) magnified view of the portion of the image in the white box in FIG. 1A, where the arrows indicate dense core plaques; (D) image of the same imaging area on day 4, after the injection of UDP; (E) magnified view of the portion of the image in the white box in FIG. 1D, in which the blood plasma was labeled with Rhodamine dextran; and (F) magnified view of the portion of the image in the white box in FIG. 1D, where the arrows indicate dense core plaques.

FIGS. 2A-2E show a quantitative analysis of the number of plaques, plaque load and size of cross-section of individual plaques in the barrel cortex in PSAPP mice after treatment with UDP or artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF): (2A) quantitative analysis of the number of plaques; (2B) quantitative analysis of the plaque load; (2C) quantitative analysis of the size of cross-section of plaques; (2D) UDP treatment reduces plaque load as shown by significant reductions in day 4/day 1 ratios of plaque load; and (2E) UDP treatment reduces number of plaques as shown by significant reductions in day 4/day 1 ratios of plaque load.

FIG. 3 shows postmortem immunohistochemistry analysis of the plaque load in cortex and hippocampus of PSAPP mice after treatment with UDP. Amyloid beta peptide specific antibodies β1-40 and β1-42 were used in the immunohistochemistry analysis: (A) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-40 on day 1; (B) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-40 on day 4, after treatment with UDP; (C) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-42 on day 1; and (D) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-42 on day 4, after treatment with UDP.

FIG. 4 shows quantification of plaque load (%) in the cortex and hippocampus of the PSAPP mice after treatment with UDP or ACSF. Amyloid beta peptide specific antibodies β1-40 and β1-42 were used in the quantification. (A) plaque load (%) in cortex using β1-40 staining; (B) plaque load (%) in hippocampus using β1-40 staining; (C) plaque load (%) in cortex using β1-42 staining; (D) plaque load (%) in hippocampus using β1-42 staining; (E) UDP treatment decreased soluble Aβ40 level detected with ELISA; and (F) UDP treatment decreased soluble Aβ42 level detected with ELISA.

FIG. 5 shows a postmortem immunohistochemistry analysis of the plaque load in cortex and hippocampus of PSAPP mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 3-phenacyl-UDP for 2, 4 and 6 consecutive days. Amyloid beta specific antibody β1-40 was used in the analysis. (A) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-40 without 3-phenacyl-UDP treatment; (B) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-40 after intraperitoneal injection of 3-phenacyl-UDP for 2 consecutive days; (C) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-40 after intraperitoneal injection of 3-phenacyl-UDP for 4 consecutive days; and (D) immunohistochemistry analysis using β1-40 after intraperitoneal injection of 3-phenacyl-UDP for 6 consecutive days.

FIGS. 6A-6F show quantification of plaque load (%) in cortex (Cx) and hippocampus (Hp) of the PSAPP mice after treatment with 3-phenacyl-UDP or vehicle control for 2, 4, 6 consecutive days and for 6 days+2 weeks. The vehicle controls used for intracerebroventricular (icv) and Intraperitoneal (ip) administration of compounds were ACSF and saline, respectively. Amyloid beta peptide specific antibody β1-40 was used in quantification. (6A) Plaque load (%) in cortex using β1-40 staining; (6B) plaque load (%) in hippocampus using β1-40 staining; (6C) Aβ40 plaque load (%) in hippocampus after one week of daily treatment with 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474) at three doses; (6D) Aβ42 plaque load (%) in hippocampus after one week of daily treatment with 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474) at three doses; (6E) Aβ40 plaque load (%) in cortex after one week of daily treatment with 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474) at three doses; and (6F) Aβ42 plaque load (%) in cortex after one week of daily treatment with 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474) at three doses.

FIG. 7 shows freezing behavior (freezing %) of PASPP mice in fear conditioning studies after treatment with ACSF or UDP: (A) freezing behavior (freezing %) of PASPP mice 5 minutes following treatment with ACSF and UDP; (B) analysis of total freezing percentage of PSAPP mice treated with ACSF or UDP; and (C) using the contextual fear conditioning test PSAPP mice treated with ACSF (white bar) showed significantly less freezing time compared to the age-matched wildtype (line bar), suggesting the memory deficits in PS1/APP; UDP-treatment 3 days prior to the test significantly improved the freezing behavior (black bar) compared to ACSF treatment.

FIGS. 8A-8C show hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) recorded as field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) % in PSAPP mice, with high-frequency stimulation (HFS), 100 pulses at 100 Hz, four times in 20-second intervals: (8A) depressed LTP (fEPSP %) at the schaffer collateral synapse within the CA1 area of the hippocampus in aged PSAPP mice (PSAPP+/+), as compared to littermates (PSAPP−/−); (8B) increased LTP (fEPSP %) in PSAPP mice after treatment with UDP or ACSF; (8C) analysis of the last 15 min potentiation, as fEPSP slope (%), in PSAPP mice.

FIGS. 9A-9C show freezing behavior (as freezing %) of PASPP mice in fear conditioning studies after treatment with 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474). (9A) freezing behavior (freezing %) of control littermates (PSAPP−/−), and PASPP mice 5 minutes following treatment with saline vehicle control or with 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474) at two different dosages, i.e. 1 μg/ml and 1 mg/ml; (9B) analysis of total freezing percentage of PSAPP mice; and (9C) using the contextual fear conditioning test PSAPP mice treated with ACSF (white bar) showed significantly less freezing time compared to the age-matched wildtype (line bar), demonstrating the memory deficits in PS 1/APP; one week treatment with 1 ug/kg 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474) (grey bar) rescued the memory deficit as compared to the vehicle treatment (white bar).

FIGS. 10A-10K show dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using compounds of the present disclosure, where compounds were tested for activation of P₂Y₆ receptor by measuring receptor induced Ca²⁺ changes with the fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator fluo-4: (10A) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 6; (10B) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 3; (10C) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 4; (10D) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 1; (10E) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 5; (10F) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 44; (10G) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 45; (10H) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 46; (10I) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 47; (10J) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 48; and (10K) dose-response activation of the P₂Y₆ receptor using the sodium salt of compound 49.

FIG. 11 shows freezing behavior (freezing %) of PASPP mice in fear conditioning studies after treatment with vehicle control or compound 5: using the contextual fear conditioning test PSAPP mice treated with vehicle control (black bar) showed significantly less freezing time compared to the age-matched wildtype (white bar), suggesting the memory deficits in PSAPP; administration of compound 5 prior to the test significantly improved the freezing behavior (line bar) compared to the control treatment indicating that compound 5 restores memory.

FIG. 12 shows plaque load in cortex (Cx) and hippocampus (Hp) of the PSAPP mice after treatment with compound 5 or vehicle control. (A) Aβ plaque load (%) in cortex after treatment with compound 5 or vehicle control; (B) Aβ plaque load (%) in hippocampus after treatment with compound 5 or vehicle control; and (C) postmortem immunohistochemistry analysis of the Aβ42 plaque load in cortex and hippocampus of PSAPP mice after treatment with compound 5 or vehicle control. Amyloid beta specific antibody β1-42 was used in the analysis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in this application shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Generally, nomenclature used in connection with, and techniques of, chemistry, cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, cell and cancer biology, neurobiology, neurochemistry, virology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, genetics and protein and nucleic acid chemistry, described herein, are those well known and commonly used in the art.

The methods and techniques of the present disclosure are generally performed, unless otherwise indicated, according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that are cited and discussed throughout this specification. See, e.g. “Principles of Neural Science”, McGraw-Hill Medical, New York, N.Y. (2000); Motulsky, “Intuitive Biostatistics”, Oxford University Press, Inc. (1995); Lodish et al., “Molecular Cell Biology, 4th ed.”, W. H. Freeman & Co., New York (2000); Griffiths et al., “Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 7th ed.”, W. H. Freeman & Co., N.Y. (1999); and Gilbert et al., “Developmental Biology, 6th ed.”, Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Mass. (2000).

Chemistry terms used herein are used according to conventional usage in the art, as exemplified by “The McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Chemical Terms”, Parker S., Ed., McGraw-Hill, San Francisco, Calif. (1985).

All of the above, and any other publications, patents and published patent applications referred to in this application are specifically incorporated by reference herein. In case of conflict, the present specification, including its specific definitions, will control.

The term “agent” is used herein to denote a chemical compound (such as an organic or inorganic compound, a mixture of chemical compounds), a biological macromolecule (such as a nucleic acid, an antibody, including parts thereof as well as humanized, chimeric and human antibodies and monoclonal antibodies, a protein or portion thereof, e.g., a peptide, a lipid, a carbohydrate), or an extract made from biological materials such as bacteria, plants, fungi, or animal (particularly mammalian) cells or tissues. Agents include, for example, agents that are known with respect to structure, and those that are not known with respect to structure. The P₂Y₆ binding activity (such as agonist activity) of such agents may render them suitable as “therapeutic agents” in the methods and compositions of this disclosure.

A “patient,” “subject,” or “individual” are used interchangeably and refer to either a human or a non-human animal. These terms include mammals, such as humans, primates, livestock animals (including bovines, porcines, etc.), companion animals (e.g., canines, felines, etc.) and rodents (e.g., mice and rats).

“Treating” a condition or patient refers to taking steps to obtain beneficial or desired results, including clinical results. Beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are not limited to, alleviation, amelioration, or slowing the progression, of one or more symptoms associated with a neuronal disorder, including neurodegeneration and traumatic brain injury, as well as pain. In certain embodiments, treatment may be prophylactic. Exemplary beneficial clinical results are described herein.

“Administering” or “administration of” a substance, a compound or an agent to a subject can be carried out using one of a variety of methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, a compound or an agent can be administered, intravenously, arterially, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraperitonealy, intravenously, subcutaneously, ocularly, sublingually, orally (by ingestion), intranasally (by inhalation), intraspinally, intracerebrally, and transdermally (by absorption, e.g., through a skin duct). A compound or agent can also appropriately be introduced by rechargeable or biodegradable polymeric devices or other devices, e.g., patches and pumps, or formulations, which provide for the extended, slow or controlled release of the compound or agent. Administering can also be performed, for example, once, a plurality of times, and/or over one or more extended periods. In some aspects, the administration includes both direct administration, including self-administration, and indirect administration, including the act of prescribing a drug. For example, as used herein, a physician who instructs a patient to self-administer a drug, or to have the drug administered by another and/or who provides a patient with a prescription for a drug is administering the drug to the patient.

Appropriate methods of administering a substance, a compound or an agent to a subject will also depend, for example, on the age of the subject, whether the subject is active or inactive at the time of administering, whether the subject is cognitively impaired at the time of administering, the extent of the impairment, and the chemical and biological properties of the compound or agent (e.g. solubility, digestibility, bioavailability, stability and toxicity). In some embodiments, a compound or an agent is administered orally, e.g., to a subject by ingestion. In some embodiments, the orally administered compound or agent is in an extended release or slow release formulation, or administered using a device for such slow or extended release.

A “therapeutically effective amount” or a “therapeutically effective dose” of a drug or agent is an amount of a drug or an agent that, when administered to a subject will have the intended therapeutic effect. The full therapeutic effect does not necessarily occur by administration of one dose, and may occur only after administration of a series of doses. Thus, a therapeutically effective amount may be administered in one or more administrations. The precise effective amount needed for a subject will depend upon, for example, the subject's size, health and age, the nature and extent of cognitive impairment or other symptoms of the condition being treated, such as neurodegeneration (such as Alzheimer's disease), pain and traumatic brain injury, the therapeutics or combination of therapeutics selected for administration, and the mode of administration. The skilled worker can readily determine the effective amount for a given situation by routine experimentation.

“Ligand” as used herein refers to any molecule that is capable of specifically binding to another molecule, such as the P₂Y₆ receptor. The term “ligand” includes both agonists and antagonists. “Agonist” means an agent which, when interacting, either directly or indirectly, with a biologically active molecule (e.g. an enzyme or a receptor) causes an increase in the biological activity thereof. “Antagonist” means an agent which, when interacting, either directly or indirectly, with a biologically active molecule(s) (e.g. an enzyme or a receptor) causes a decrease in the biological activity thereof. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the present disclosure are agonists of P₂Y₆ receptor.

The term “aliphatic” as used herein means a straight chained or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl. It is understood that alkenyl or alkynyl embodiments need at least two carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain. Aliphatic groups typically contains from 1 (or 2) to 12 carbons, such as from 1 (or 2) to 4 carbons.

The term “aryl” as used herein means a monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic aromatic ring system. Phenyl is an example of a monocyclic aromatic ring system. Bicyclic aromatic ring systems include systems wherein both rings are aromatic, e.g., naphthyl, and systems wherein only one of the two rings is aromatic, e.g., tetralin.

The term “heterocyclic” as used herein means a monocyclic or bicyclic non-aromatic ring system having 1 to 3 heteroatom or heteroatom groups in each ring selected from O, N, NH, S, SO, or SO₂ in a chemically stable arrangement. In a bicyclic non-aromatic ring system embodiment of “heterocyclyl”, one or both rings may contain said heteroatom or heteroatom groups. In another heterocyclic ring system embodiment, a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring may optionally be fused to an aromatic carbocycle.

Examples of heterocyclic rings include 3-1H-benzimidazol-2-one, 3-(1-alkyl)-benzimidazol-2-one, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 3-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 2-morpholino, 3-morpholino, 4-morpholino, 2-thiomorpholino, 3-thiomorpholino, 4-thiomorpholino, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 1-tetrahydropiperazinyl, 2-tetrahydropiperazinyl, 3-tetrahydropiperazinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl, 3-piperidinyl, 1-pyrazolinyl, 3-pyrazolinyl, 4-pyrazolinyl, 5-pyrazolinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl, 3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl, 2-thiazolidinyl, 3-thiazolidinyl, 4-thiazolidinyl, 1-imidazolidinyl, 2-imidazolidinyl, 4-imidazolidinyl, 5-imidazolidinyl, indolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, benzothiolane, benzodithiane, and 1,3-dihydro-imidazol-2-one.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein means a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic ring system having 1 to 3 heteroatom or heteroatom groups in each ring selected from O, N, NH or S in a chemically stable arrangement. In such a bicyclic aromatic ring system embodiment of “heteroaryl” both rings may be aromatic; and one or both rings may contain said heteroatom or heteroatom groups.

Examples of heteroaryl rings include 2-furanyl, 3-furanyl, N-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, 5-imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, N-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl (e.g., 3-pyridazinyl), 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, tetrazolyl (e.g., 5-tetrazolyl), triazolyl (e.g., 2-triazolyl and 5-triazolyl), 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, indolyl (e.g., 2-indolyl), pyrazolyl (e.g., 2-pyrazolyl), isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, purinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, quinolinyl (e.g., 2-quinolinyl, 3-quinolinyl, 4-quinolinyl), and isoquinolinyl (e.g., 1-isoquinolinyl, 3-isoquinolinyl, or 4-isoquinolinyl).

The term “cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl” refers to a monocyclic or fused or bridged bicyclic carbocyclic ring system that is not aromatic. Cycloalkenyl rings have one or more units of unsaturation. Exemplary cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptyl, cycloheptenyl, norbornyl, adamantyl and decalinyl.

As used herein, the carbon atom designations may have the indicated integer and any intervening integer. For example, the number of carbon atoms in a (C1-C4)-alkyl group is 1, 2, 3, or 4. It should be understood that these designation refer to the total number of atoms in the appropriate group. For example, in a (C3-C10)-heterocyclyl the total number of carbon atoms and heteroatoms is 3 (as in aziridine), 4, 5, 6 (as in morpholine), 7, 8, 9, or 10.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” or “salt” is used herein to refer to an agent or a compound according to the disclosure that is a therapeutically active, non-toxic base and acid salt form of the compounds. The acid addition salt form of a compound that occurs in its free form as a base can be obtained by treating said free base form with an appropriate acid such as an inorganic acid, for example, a hydrohalic such as hydrochloric or hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and the like; or an organic acid, such as, for example, acetic, hydroxyacetic, propanoic, lactic, pyruvic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclic, salicylic, p-aminosalicylic, pamoic and the like. See, e.g., WO 01/062726.

Compounds containing acidic protons may be converted into their therapeutically active, non-toxic base addition salt form, e.g. metal or amine salts, by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salt forms include, for example, ammonium salts, alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g., lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e.g. N-methyl-D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, and salts with amino acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine and the like. Conversely, said salt forms can be converted into the free forms by treatment with an appropriate base or acid. Compounds and their salts can be in the form of a solvate, which is included within the scope of the present disclosure. Such solvates include for example hydrates, alcoholates and the like. See, e.g., WO 01/062726.

Many of the compounds useful in the methods and compositions of this disclosure have at least one stereogenic center in their structure. This stereogenic center may be present in a R or a S configuration, said R and S notation is used in correspondence with the rules described in Pure Appl. Chem. (1976), 45, 11-30. The disclosure also relates to all stereoisomeric forms such as enantiomeric and diastereoisomeric forms of the compounds or mixtures thereof (including all possible mixtures of stereoisomers). See, e.g., WO 01/062726.

Furthermore, certain compounds which contain alkenyl groups may exist as Z (zusammen) or E (entgegen) isomers. In each instance, the disclosure includes both mixture and separate individual isomers. Multiple substituents on a piperidinyl or the azepanyl ring can also stand in either cis or trans relationship to each other with respect to the plane of the piperidinyl or the azepanyl ring. Some of the compounds may also exist in tautomeric forms. Such forms, although not explicitly indicated in the formulae described herein, are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. With respect to the methods and compositions of the present disclosure, reference to a compound or compounds is intended to encompass that compound in each of its possible isomeric forms and mixtures thereof unless the particular isomeric form is referred to specifically. See, e.g., WO 01/062726.

“Prodrug” or “pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug” refers to a compound that is metabolized, for example hydrolyzed or oxidized, in the host after administration to form the compound of the present disclosure (e.g., compounds of formula I or II). Typical examples of prodrugs include compounds that have biologically labile or cleavable (protecting) groups on a functional moiety of the active compound. Prodrugs include compounds that can be oxidized, reduced, aminated, deaminated, hydroxylated, dehydroxylated, hydrolyzed, dehydrolyzed, alkylated, dealkylated, acylated, deacylated, phosphorylated, or dephosphorylated to produce the active compound. Examples of prodrugs using ester or phosphoramidate as biologically labile or cleavable (protecting) groups are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,875,751, 7,585,851, and 7,964,580, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The prodrugs of this disclosure are metabolized to produce a compound of formula I or II, which are agonists of the P₂Y₆ receptor.

The disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of the disclosure together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

UDP Derivatives and Compositions

The present disclosure provides a compound of formula I:

or a prodrug or salt thereof, wherein:

-   A is a 3- to 10-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring having up to     5 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂,     wherein the aromatic or non-aromatic ring is independently and     optionally substituted with one or more R⁷; -   X is independently selected from —O—, —S—, —N(R⁵)— and a     (C1-C3)-aliphatic group independently and optionally substituted     with one or more R⁴; -   Y is a bond or a (C1-C5)-aliphatic group independently and     optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; -   Z and W are each independently selected from ═O, ═S, ═N(R⁵), and     ═NOR⁵; -   R¹ is selected from:     -   —H, halogen, —OR⁵, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃ and a (C1-C6)-aliphatic         group optionally substituted with one or more R⁷; -   R² and R³ are each independently selected from —OR⁵, —SR⁵, —NR⁵R⁶,     —OC(O)R⁵,     -   —OC(O)NR⁵R⁶, and —OC(O)OR⁵; preferably, R² and R³ are each         independently selected from —OR⁵, —SR⁵, —NR⁵R⁶ and —OC(O)R⁵; -   each occurrence of R⁴ is independently selected from:     -   halogen, —OR⁵, —NO₂, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —R⁵, 1,2-methylenedioxy,         1,2-ethylenedioxy, —N(R⁵)₂, —SR⁵, —SOR⁵, —SO₂     -   R⁵, —SO₂N(R⁵)₂, —SO₃R⁵, —C(O)R⁵, —C(O)C(O)R⁵, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁵,         —C(S)R⁵, —C(S)O R⁵, —C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)C(O)N(R⁵)₂,         —OC(O)R⁵, —C(O)N(R⁵)₂, —OC(O)N(R⁵)₂, —C(S)N(R⁵)₂,         —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHC(O)R⁵, —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)COR⁵, —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)C(O)OR⁵,         —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)CON(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵) SO₂R⁵, —N(R⁵)SO₂N(R⁵)₂,         —N(R⁵)C(O)OR⁵, —N(R⁵)C(O)R⁵, —N(R⁵)C(S)R⁵, —N(R⁵)C(O) N(R⁵)₂,         —N(R⁵)C(S)N(R⁵)₂, —N(COR⁵)COR⁵, —N(OR⁵)R⁵, —C(═NH)N(R⁵)₂,         —C(O)N(O R⁵)R⁵, —C(═NOR⁵)R⁵, —OP(O)(OR⁵)₂, —P(O)(R⁵)₂,         —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, or —P(O)(H)(OR⁵); -   each occurrence of R⁵ is independently selected from:     -   H—,     -   (C1-C12)-aliphatic-,     -   (C3-C10)-cycloalkyl- or -cycloalkenyl-,     -   [(C3-C10)-cycloalkyl or -cycloalkenyl]-(C1-C12)-aliphatic-,     -   (C6-C10)-aryl-,     -   (C6-C10)-aryl-(C1-C12)aliphatic-,     -   (C3-C10)-heterocyclyl-,     -   (C6-C10)-heterocyclyl-(C1-C12)aliphatic-,     -   (C5-C10)-heteroaryl-, and     -   (C5-C10)-heteroaryl-(C1-C12)-aliphatic-;     -   wherein two R⁵ groups bound to the same atom optionally form a         3- to 10-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring having up to 3         heteroatoms independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂,         wherein said ring is optionally fused to a (C6-C10)aryl,         (C5-C10)heteroaryl, (C3-C10)cycloalkyl, or a         (C3-C10)heterocyclyl; and     -   wherein each R⁵ group is independently and optionally         substituted with one or more R⁷; -   R⁶ is selected from:     -   —R⁵, —C(O)R⁵, —C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)N(R⁵)₂ and —S(O)₂R⁵; -   each occurrence of R⁷ is independently selected from:     -   halogen, —OR⁸, —NO₂, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —R⁸, oxo, thioxo,         1,2-methylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, —N(R⁸)₂, —SR⁸, —SOR^(B),         —SO₂R⁸, —SO₂N(R⁸)₂, —SO₃R⁸, —C(O)R⁸, —C(O)C(O)R⁸,         —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁸, —C(S)R⁸, —C(S)O R⁸, —C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)C(O)OR⁸,         —C(O)C(O)N(R⁸)₂, —OC(O)R⁸, —C(O)N(R⁸)₂, —OC(O)N(R⁸)₂,         —C(S)N(R⁸)₂, —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHC(O)R⁸, —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)COR⁸,         —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)C(O)OR⁸, —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)CON(R⁸)₂, —N(R⁸) SO₂R⁸,         —N(R⁸)SO₂N(R⁸)₂, —N(R⁸)C(O)OR⁸, —N(R⁸)C(O)R⁸, —N(R⁸)C(S)R⁸,         —N(R⁸)C(O) N(R⁸)₂, —N(R⁸)C(S)N(R⁸)₂, —N(COR⁸)COR⁸, —N(OR⁸)R⁸,         —C(═NH)N(R⁸)₂, —C(O)N(O R⁸)R⁸, —C(═NOR⁸)R⁸, —OP(O)(OR⁸)₂,         —P(O)(R⁸)₂, —P(O)(OR⁸)₂, or —P(O)(H)(OR⁸); -   each occurrence of R⁸ is independently selected from:     -   H— and (C1-C6)-aliphatic-.

In some embodiments, the salt is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula I, such as a sodium salt.

In certain embodiments of compound of formula I, A is a (C5-C10)-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S, wherein the aromatic ring is independently and optionally substituted with one or more R⁷. In some embodiments, A is an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring having up to 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S. In some embodiments, A is an optionally substituted bi-cyclic aromatic ring having up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S. For example, A is an aromatic group selected from:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁷.

In certain embodiments, A is selected from:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁷.

In some embodiments, A is

optionally further substituted with one or more R⁷.

In another embodiment, A is

optionally substituted with one or more R⁷. In some of the above embodiments of A, each occurrence of R⁷ is independently selected from halogen, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —C1-C4 aliphatic (e.g., —C1-C4 alkyl), and —O(C1-C4 aliphatic) (e.g., —O(C1-C4 alkyl)).

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides compounds of formula I, where X is —O—.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure also provides compounds of formula I, where R¹ is —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl or —CF₃. In some embodiments, R¹ is —H.

According to certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a compound of formula I, where Z is ═O or ═S. In some embodiments, Z is ═O.

In some embodiments, the compound of the present disclosure has a W that is ═O or ═S. In some embodiments, W is ═O.

According to certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a compound of formula I, where Y is a C1-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴. For example, Y is —CH₂—. In some embodiments, Y is a C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴. In some embodiments, Y is —CH₂—C(R⁴)₂—, such as —CH₂—CH₂—. In another embodiment, Y is —CH₂—C(R⁴)₂—, where each R⁴ is independently selected from halogen. In some embodiments, Y is —CH₂—C(R⁴)₂—, where both occurrences of R⁴ are —F. In another embodiment, Y is —CH₂—C(R⁴)₂—, where each occurrence of R⁴ is independently a (C1-C3)-aliphatic group. In yet another embodiment, Y is —CH₂—C(R⁴)₂—, where both occurrences of R⁴ are —CH₃.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a compound of formula I, where R² and R³ are each independently —OR⁵. In some embodiments, R² is —OH. In another embodiment, R³ is —OH.

The disclosure also includes various combinations of A, X, Y, Z, W, R² and R³ as described above. These combinations can in turn be combined with any or all of the values of the other variables described above. For example, in some embodiments, Y is a C1- or C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴ and X is —O—. In another embodiment, Y is a C1- or C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; and Z is ═O. In another embodiment, Y is a C1- or C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; and W is ═O. In yet another embodiment, Y is a C1- or C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; W is ═O; and R¹ is selected from —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl, and —CF₃, for example, R¹ is —H. In a further embodiment, Y is a C1- or C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; W is ═O; and R¹ is selected from —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl, and —CF₃; and A is selected from the following groups:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁷, for example, A is optionally substituted

In a further embodiment, Y is a C1- or C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; W is ═O; and R¹ is selected from —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl, and —CF₃; A is selected from the following group:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁷; and R² and R³ are each independently —OR⁵, for example, R² and R³ are each independently —OH. In some of the above embodiments, each occurrence of R⁷ is independently selected from halogen, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —C1-C4 aliphatic (e.g., —C1-C4 alkyl), and —O(C1-C4 aliphatic) (e.g., —O(C1-C4 alkyl)).

The present disclosure also provides a compound of formula II:

or a prodrug or salt thereof, wherein:

-   A is selected from:     -   a phenyl group that is substituted with at least one         (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;     -   a naphthalene group;     -   a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O and S; and     -   a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂;     -   wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; -   X is independently selected from —O—, —S—, —N(R⁵)— and a     (C1-C3)-aliphatic group independently and optionally substituted     with one or more R⁴; -   Y¹ is a (C1-C5)-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo     and further independently and optionally substituted with one or     more R⁴; -   Z and W are each independently selected from ═O, ═S, ═N(R⁵), and     ═NOR⁵; -   R¹ is selected from:     -   —H, halogen, —OR⁵, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃ and a         (C1-C6)-aliphatic-group optionally substituted with one or more         R⁴; -   R² and R³ are each independently selected from —OR⁵, —SR⁵, —NR⁵R⁶,     —OC(O)R⁵, —OC(O)NR⁵R⁶, and —OC(O)OR⁵; preferably, R² and R³ are each     independently selected from —OR⁵, —SR⁵, —NR⁵R⁶ and —OC(O)R⁵; -   each occurrence of R⁴ is independently selected from:     -   halogen, —OR⁵, —NO₂, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —R⁵, oxo, thioxo,         1,2-methylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, —N(R⁵)₂, —SR⁵, —SOR⁵,         —SO₂     -   R⁵, —SO₂N(R⁵)₂, —SO₃R⁵, —C(O)R⁵, —C(O)C(O)R⁵, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁵,         —C(S)R⁵, —C(S)O R⁵, —C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)C(O)N(R⁵)₂,         —OC(O)R⁵, —C(O)N(R⁵)₂, —OC(O)N(R⁵)₂, —C(S)N(R⁵)₂,         —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHC(O)R⁵, —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)COR⁵, —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)C(O)OR⁵,         —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)CON(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵) SO₂R⁵, —N(R⁵)SO₂N(R⁵)₂,         —N(R⁵)C(O)OR⁵, —N(R⁵)C(O)R⁵, —N(R⁵)C(S)R⁵, —N(R⁵)C(O) N(R⁵)₂,         —N(R⁵)C(S)N(R⁵)₂, —N(COR⁵)COR⁵, —N(OR⁵)R⁵, —C(═NH)N(R⁵)₂,         —C(O)N(O R⁵)R⁵, —C(═NOR⁵)R⁵, —OP(O)(OR⁵)₂, —P(O)(R⁵)₂,         —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, or —P(O)(H)(OR⁵); -   each occurrence of R⁵ is independently selected from:     -   H—,     -   (C1-C12)-aliphatic-,     -   (C3-C10)-cycloalkyl- or -cycloalkenyl-,     -   [(C3-C10)-cycloalkyl or -cycloalkenyl]-(C1-C12)-aliphatic-,     -   (C6-C10)-aryl-,     -   (C6-C10)-aryl-(C1-C12)aliphatic-,     -   (C3-C10)-heterocyclyl-,     -   (C6-C10)-heterocyclyl-(C1-C12)aliphatic-,     -   (C5-C10)-heteroaryl-, and     -   (C5-C10)-heteroaryl-(C1-C12)-aliphatic-;     -   wherein two R⁵ groups bound to the same atom optionally form a         3- to 10-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring having up to 3         heteroatoms independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂,         wherein said ring is optionally fused to a (C6-C10)aryl,         (C5-C10)heteroaryl, (C3-C10)cycloalkyl, or a         (C3-C10)heterocyclyl; and wherein each R⁵ group is independently         and optionally substituted with one or more R⁷; -   R⁶ is selected from:     -   —R⁵, —C(O)R⁵, —C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)N(R⁵)₂ and —S(O)₂R⁵; -   each occurrence of R¹ is independently selected from:     -   halogen, —OR⁸, —NO₂, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —R⁸, oxo, thioxo,         1,2-methylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, —N(R⁸)₂, —SR⁸, —SOR^(B),         —SO₂     -   R⁸, —SO₂N(R⁸)₂, —SO₃R⁸, —C(O)R⁸, —C(O)C(O)R⁸, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁸,         —C(S)R⁸, —C(S)O R⁸, —C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)C(O)N(R⁸)₂,         —OC(O)R⁸, —C(O)N(R⁸)₂, —OC(O)N(R⁸)₂, —C(S)N(R⁸)₂,         —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHC(O)R⁸, —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)COR⁸, —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)C(O)OR⁸,         —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)CON(R⁸)₂, —N(R⁸) SO₂R⁸, —N(R⁸)SO₂N(R⁸)₂,         —N(R⁸)C(O)OR⁸, —N(R⁸)C(O)R⁸, —N(R⁸)C(S)R⁸, —N(R⁸)C(O) N(R⁸)₂,         —N(R⁸)C(S)N(R⁸)₂, —N(COR⁸)COR⁸, —N(OR⁸)R⁸, —C(═NH)N(R⁸)₂,         —C(O)N(O R⁸)R⁸, —C(═NOR⁸)R⁸, —OP(O)(OR⁸)₂, —P(O)(R⁸)₂,         —P(O)(OR⁸)₂, or —P(O)(H)(OR⁸); -   each occurrence of R⁸ is independently selected from:     -   H— and (C1-C6)-aliphatic-.

In some embodiments, the salt is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula II, such as a sodium salt.

In certain embodiments of compound of formula II, A is selected from the following groups:

where A is optionally substituted with one or more R⁴.

In other embodiments of compound of formula II, A is selected from the following groups:

where A is optionally substituted with one or more R⁴.

In such embodiments, A is one of the following groups:

where A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴.

In some embodiments, A is selected from:

where A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴.

In some embodiments, A is

where A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴.

In a further embodiment, A is

optionally substituted with one or more R⁴. In some of the above embodiments of A, each occurrence of R⁴ is independently selected from halogen, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —C1-C4 aliphatic (e.g., —C1-C4 alkyl), and —O(C1-C4 aliphatic) (e.g., —O(C1-C4 alkyl)).

In some embodiments, Y¹ is a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴, and A is selected from:

a phenyl group that is substituted with at least one (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;

a naphthalene group; and

a 6-membered monocyclic or a 9- to 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S, wherein the bicyclic heteroaryl group has a 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl ring that is directly connected to Y¹;

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴. In some such embodiments, Y¹ is a C2-aliphatic group substituted with one oxo, and A is selected from:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴.

According to certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a compound of formula II, where X is —O—.

In some embodiments of the compound of formula II, R¹ is —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl or —CF₃. In some embodiments, R¹ is —H.

According to certain embodiments, the present disclosure also provides a compound of formula II, where Z is ═O or ═S. In some embodiments, Z is ═O.

In some embodiments of the compound of formula II, W is ═O or ═S. In some embodiments, W is ═O.

According to certain embodiments, the present disclosure also provides a compound of formula II, where Y¹ is a C1-aliphatic group substituted with oxo. In some embodiments, Y¹ is a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴. In another embodiment, Y¹ is —C(O)—C(R⁴)₂— or —C(R⁴)₂—C(O)—, for example, —C(O)—CH₂— or —CH₂—C(O)—. In a further embodiment, Y¹ is —C(O)—C(R⁴)₂— or —C(R⁴)₂—C(O)—, where each R⁴ is independently selected from halogen. For example, Y¹ is —C(O)—C(R⁴)₂— or —C(R⁴)₂—C(O)—, where both occurrences of R⁴ in are —F. In yet another embodiment, Y¹ is —C(O)—C(R⁴)₂— or —C(R⁴)₂—C(O)—, where each R⁴ is independently a (C1-C3)-aliphatic group. For example, Y¹ is —C(O)—C(R⁴)₂— or —C(R⁴)₂—C(O)—, where both occurrences of R⁴ are —CH₃.

In some embodiments of compound of formula II, R² and R³ are each independently —OR⁵. In some embodiments, R² is —OH. In another embodiment, R³ is —OH.

The disclosure also includes various combinations of A, X, Y¹, Z, W, R¹, R² and R³ as described above. These combinations can in turn be combined with any or all of the values of the other variables described above. For example, in some embodiments, Y¹ is a C1-aliphatic group substituted with an oxo or a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴ and X is —O—. In another embodiment, Y¹ is a C1-aliphatic group substituted with an oxo or a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; and Z is ═O. In another embodiment, Y¹ is a C1-aliphatic group substituted with an oxo or a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; and W is ═O. In yet another embodiment, Y¹ is a C1-aliphatic group substituted with an oxo or a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; W is ═O; and R¹ is selected from —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl, and —CF₃, for example, R¹ is —H. In a further embodiment, Y¹ is a C1-aliphatic group substituted with an oxo or a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; W is ═O; and R¹ is selected from —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl, and —CF₃; and A is selected from the following groups:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R¹, for example, A is optionally further substituted

In yet a further embodiment, Y¹ is a C1-aliphatic group substituted with an oxo or a C2-aliphatic group substituted with at least one oxo and optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; X is —O—; Z is ═O; W is ═O; and R¹ is selected from —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl, and —CF₃; A is selected from the following group:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; and R² and R³ are each independently —OR⁵, for example, R² and R³ are each independently —OH. In some of the above embodiments, each occurrence of R⁷ is independently selected from halogen, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —C1-C4 aliphatic (e.g., —C1-C4 alkyl), and —O(C1-C4 aliphatic) (e.g., —O(C1-C4 alkyl)).

Examples of particular compounds of the present disclosure include:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a sodium salt.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of formula I or II or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof.

General Synthetic Methodology

The compounds of this disclosure may be prepared in general by methods known to those skilled in the art. Scheme 1 below illustrates a general synthetic route to the compounds of the present disclosure. Other equivalent schemes, which will be readily apparent to the ordinary skilled organic chemist, may alternatively be used to synthesize various portions of the molecules as illustrated by the general scheme below.

Prodrugs of UDP Derivatives

The present disclosure provides a prodrug of a compound of formula I or II or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof. In some embodiments, the prodrug of the instant application includes biologically labile or cleavable protecting groups at one or both phosphate groups of a compound of formula I or II, e.g., moieties that are cleaved or hydrolyzed in the patient's body to generate the compound of formula I or II or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, the prodrugs of the present disclosure can be oxidized, reduced, aminated, deaminated, hydroxylated, dehydroxylated, hydrolyzed, dehydrolyzed, alkylated, dealkylated, acylated, deacylated, phosphorylated, or dephosphorylated to produce the compound of formula I or II.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug includes two biologically labile or cleavable protecting groups on the terminal phosphate group of a compound of formula I or II. In other embodiments, the prodrug includes three biologically labile or cleavable protecting groups on both phosphate groups of a compound of formula I or II.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   A, X, Y, Z, W, R¹, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula I; -   each n is independently 0-4; -   each occurrence of R^(1a) is a group independently selected from     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁷ as defined above     in formula I; and -   each occurrence of R^(1a′) is independently selected from —H and R⁷     as defined above in formula I.

In some embodiments of prodrug-IA, at least one R^(1a) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IA, at least one R^(1a) is an optionally substituted phenyl. In preferred embodiments, n is 0. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IA, both occurrences of R^(1a) are the same.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   A, X, Y, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula I; -   each occurrence of R^(1b) is a group independently selected from     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁷ as defined above     in formula I; and -   each occurrence of R^(1b′) is independently —H, —(C1-C6)-aliphatic     (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl) or —(C3-C6)-cycloalkyl; preferably, each     occurrence of R^(1b′) is independently —H or —(C1-C6)-aliphatic     (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl).

In some embodiments of prodrug-IB1 or prodrug-IB2, at least one occurrence of R^(1b) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IB1 or prodrug-IB2, at least one occurrence of R^(1b′) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IB1 or prodrug-IB2, at least one occurrence of R^(1b′) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IB1 or prodrug-IB2, all the occurrences of R^(1b) are the same. In some embodiments, all the occurrences of R^(1b′) are the same.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   A, X, Y, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula I; -   each occurrence of R^(1c) is a group independently selected from     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁷ as defined above     in formula I; and     -   each occurrence of R^(1c′) is independently —H,         —(C1-C6)-aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl) or         —(C3-C6)-cycloalkyl; preferably, each occurrence of R^(1c′) is         independently —H or —(C1-C6)-aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl).

In some embodiments of prodrug-IC1 or prodrug-IC2, at least one occurrence of R^(1c) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IC1 or prodrug-IC2, at least one occurrence of R^(1c) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IC1 or prodrug-IC2, at least one occurrence of R^(1c) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IC1 or prodrug-IC2, all the occurrences of R^(1c) are the same. In some embodiments, all the occurrences of R^(1c′) are the same.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   A, X, Y, Z, W, R¹, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula I; -   R^(1d) group selected from aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl),     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein     said aliphatic, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or     heteroaryl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁷ as     defined above in formula I; -   n is 0-5, preferably 0-2, most preferably 0; and -   each occurrence of R^(1d′) is independently selected from —H and R⁷     as defined above in formula I.

In some embodiments of prodrug-ID, R^(1d) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In other embodiments of prodrug-ID, R^(1d) is an optionally substituted phenyl. In certain embodiments, n is 0. In preferred embodiments where n is 1 or 2, all R^(1d′) are attached to the carbon of the ring distal to the carbon bearing R^(1d)CO₂.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   A, X, Y, Z, W, R¹, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula I; -   n is 0-4; and -   each occurrence of R^(1e) is independently selected from —H and R⁷     as defined above in formula I.

In some embodiments of prodrug-IE, at least one occurrence of R^(1e) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IE, at least one occurrence of R^(1e) is halogen, preferably —F or —C1. In certain embodiments, n is 1. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IE, n is 1 and R^(1e) is methyl.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   A, X, Y, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula I; -   R^(1fa) and R^(1fb) each independently is a group selected from —H,     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁷ as defined above     in formula I; and -   R^(1f′) and R^(1f″) each independently is a group selected from —H,     —(C1-C6)-aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl) and —(C3-C6)-cycloalkyl;     preferably, R^(1f′) and R^(1f″) each independently is a group     selected from —H or —(C1-C6)-aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl).

In some embodiments of prodrug-IF, R^(1fa) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IF, R^(1fb) is an optionally substituted phenyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IF, R^(1f′) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IF, R^(1f′) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IF, R^(1F″) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IF, R^(1f′) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl, and R^(1f″) is —H.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

Or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   X, Y¹, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula II; -   A is selected from:     -   a phenyl group that is unsubstituted or substituted with at         least one (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;     -   a naphthalene group;     -   a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O and S; and     -   a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂;     -   wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; -   each n is independently 0-4; -   each occurrence of R^(2a) is a group independently selected from     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁴ as defined above     in formula II; and -   each occurrence of R^(2a′) is independently selected from —H and R⁴     as defined above in formula II.

In some embodiments of prodrug-IIA, at least one R^(2a) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIA, at least one R^(2a) is an optionally substituted phenyl. In preferred embodiments, n is 0. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IIA, both occurrences of R^(2a) are the same.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   X, Y¹, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula II; -   A is selected from:     -   a phenyl group that is unsubstituted or substituted with at         least one (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;     -   a naphthalene group;     -   a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O and S; and     -   a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂; -   wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; -   each occurrence of R^(2b) is a group independently selected from     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁴ as defined above     in formula II; and -   each occurrence of R^(2b′) is independently —H, —(C1-C6)-aliphatic     (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl) or —(C3-C6)-cycloalkyl; preferably, each     occurrence of R^(2b′) is independently —H or —(C1-C6)-aliphatic     (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl).

In some embodiments of prodrug-IIB1 or prodrug-IIB2, at least one occurrence of R^(2b) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIB1 or prodrug-IIB2, at least one occurrence of R^(2b′) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IIB1 or prodrug-IIB2, at least one occurrence of R^(2b′) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIB1 or prodrug-IIB2, all the occurrences of R^(2b) are the same. In some embodiments, all the occurrences of R^(2b′) are the same.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   X, Y¹, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula II; -   A is selected from:     -   a phenyl group that is unsubstituted or substituted with at         least one (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;     -   a naphthalene group;     -   a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O and S; and     -   a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂; -   wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; -   each occurrence of R^(2c) is a group independently selected from     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁴ as defined above     in formula II; and -   each occurrence of R^(2c′) is independently —H, —(C1-C6)-aliphatic     (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl) or —(C3-C6)-cycloalkyl; preferably, each     occurrence of R^(2c′) is independently —H or —(C1-C6)-aliphatic     (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl).

In some embodiments of prodrug-IIC1 or prodrug-IIC2, at least one occurrence of R^(2c) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIC1 or prodrug-IIC2, at least one occurrence of R^(2c′) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IIC1 or prodrug-IIC2, at least one occurrence of R^(2c′) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIC1 or prodrug-IIC2, all the occurrences of R^(2c) are the same. In some embodiments, all the occurrences of R^(2c′) are the same.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   X, Y¹, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula II;     A is selected from:     -   a phenyl group that is unsubstituted or substituted with at         least one (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;     -   a naphthalene group;     -   a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O and S; and     -   a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂; -   wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; -   R^(2d) group selected from aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl),     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein     said aliphatic, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or     heteroaryl is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁴ as     defined above in formula II; -   n is 0-5, preferably 0-2, most preferably 0; and -   each occurrence of R^(2d′) is independently selected from —H and R⁴     as defined above in formula II.

In some embodiments of prodrug-IID, R^(2d) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In other embodiments of prodrug-IID, R^(2d) is an optionally substituted phenyl. In certain embodiments, n is 0. In preferred embodiments where n is 1 or 2, all R^(2d′) are attached to the carbon of the ring distal to the carbon bearing R^(2d)CO₂.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or a salt thereof, wherein:

-   X, Y¹, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula II; -   A is selected from:     -   a phenyl group that is unsubstituted or substituted with at         least one (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;     -   a naphthalene group;     -   a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O and S; and     -   a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂; -   wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; -   n is 0-4; and -   each occurrence of R^(2e) is independently selected from —H and R⁴     as defined above in formula II.

In some embodiments of prodrug-IIE, at least one occurrence of R^(2e) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIE, at least one occurrence of R^(2e) is halogen, preferably, —F or —C1. In certain embodiments, n is 1. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIE, n is 1 and R^(2e) is methyl.

In certain embodiments, the prodrug of the present disclosure has the formula:

or salt thereof, wherein:

-   X, Y¹, Z, W, R² and R³ are as defined above in formula II; -   A is selected from:     -   a phenyl group that is unsubstituted or substituted with at         least one (C1-C5)-aliphatic group or halogen;     -   a naphthalene group;     -   a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O and S; and     -   a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic ring having up to 5 heteroatoms         independently selected from N, O, S, SO, or SO₂; -   wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁴; -   R^(2fa) and R^(2fb) each independently is a group selected from —H,     aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl), heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl,     cycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl, wherein said aliphatic,     heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl is     unsubstituted or substituted with at least one R⁴ as defined above     in formula II; and -   R^(2f′) and R^(2f″) each independently is a group selected from —H,     —(C1-C6)-aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl) and —(C3-C6)-cycloalkyl;     preferably, R^(2f′) and R^(2f″) each independently is a group     selected from —H or —(C1-C6)-aliphatic (such as —(C1-C6)-alkyl).

In some embodiments of prodrug-IIF, R^(2fa) is an alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or t-butyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIF, R^(2f′) is an optionally substituted phenyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIF, R^(2f′) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IIF, R^(2f′) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. In some embodiments of prodrug-IIF, R^(2f″) is —H. In certain embodiments of prodrug-IIF, R^(2f′) is a —(C1-C6)-alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or isopropyl, and R^(2r) is —H.

For a compound of the formula I or II:

representative prodrugs of the present disclosure include:

-   or salts thereof. In some embodiments of the prodrug of the present     disclosure, the salt is a sodium salt.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a prodrug of a compound of formula I or II or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof.

The disclosure contemplates that any one or more of the foregoing aspects and embodiments can be combined with each other and/or with any of the embodiments or features provided below.

Exemplary Uses (1) Neuronal Diseases/Disorders

In certain aspects, the compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, and compositions as described herein can be used to treat patients suffering from P₂Y₆ receptor-related conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, and traumatic or mechanical injury to the central nervous system (CNS), spinal cord or peripheral nervous system (PNS). Many of these, as well as other conditions described herein, are characterized by a level of cognitive impairment and/or some decrease or loss of cognitive function. Cognitive function and cognitive impairment are used as understood in the art. For example, cognitive function generally refers to the mental processes by which one becomes aware of, perceives, or comprehends ideas. Cognitive function involves all aspects of perception, thinking, learning, reasoning, memory, awareness, and capacity for judgment. Cognitive impairment generally refers to conditions or symptoms involving problems with thought processes. This may manifest itself in one or more symptoms indicating a decrease in cognitive function, such as impairment or decrease of higher reasoning skills, forgetfulness, impairments to memory, learning disabilities, concentration difficulties, decreased intelligence, and other reductions in mental functions.

Neurodegenerative disease typically involves reductions in the mass and volume of the human brain, which may be due to the atrophy and/or death of brain cells, which are far more profound than those in a healthy person that are attributable to aging. Neurodegenerative diseases can evolve gradually, after a long period of normal brain function, due to progressive degeneration (e.g., nerve cell dysfunction and death) of specific brain regions. Alternatively, neurodegenerative diseases can have a quick onset, such as those associated with trauma or toxins. The actual onset of brain degeneration may precede clinical expression by many years. Examples of neurodegenerative diseases include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig's disease), diffuse Lewy body disease, chorea-acanthocytosis, primary lateral sclerosis, ocular diseases (ocular neuritis), chemotherapy-induced neuropathies (e.g., from vincristine, paclitaxel, bortezomib), diabetes-induced neuropathies and Friedreich's ataxia. P₂Y₆-modulating compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the present disclosure can be used to treat these disorders and others as described below.

AD is a CNS disorder that results in memory loss, unusual behavior, personality changes, and a decline in thinking abilities. These losses are related to the death of specific types of brain cells and the breakdown of connections and their supporting network (e.g. glial cells) between them. The earliest symptoms include loss of recent memory, faulty judgment, and changes in personality. Without being bound by theory, these changes in the brain and symptoms associated with cognitive impairment, including memory and learning impairment, are caused, in whole or in part, by accumulation of beta amyloid and the resulting deposition of amyloid plaques. PD is a CNS disorder that results in uncontrolled body movements, rigidity, tremor, and dyskinesia, and is associated with the death of brain cells in an area of the brain that produces dopamine. ALS (motor neuron disease) is a CNS disorder that attacks the motor neurons, components of the CNS that connect the brain to the skeletal muscles.

HD is another neurodegenerative disease that causes uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual faculties, and emotional disturbance. Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease are glycolipid storage diseases where GM2 ganglioside and related glycolipids substrates for β-hexosaminidase accumulate in the nervous system and trigger acute neurodegeneration.

It is well-known that apoptosis plays a role in AIDS pathogenesis in the immune system. However, HIV-1 also induces neurological disease, which can be treated with P₂Y₆-modulating compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the disclosure.

Neuronal loss is also a salient feature of prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in human, BSE in cattle (mad cow disease), Scrapie Disease in sheep and goats, and feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) in cats. P₂Y₆-modulating compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, as described herein, may be useful for treating or preventing neuronal loss due to these prion diseases.

In another embodiment, the compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, as described herein may be used to treat or prevent any disease or disorder involving axonopathy. Distal axonopathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy that results from some metabolic or toxic derangement of peripheral nervous system (PNS) neurons. It is the most common response of nerves to metabolic or toxic disturbances, and as such may be caused by metabolic diseases such as diabetes, renal failure, deficiency syndromes such as malnutrition and alcoholism, or the effects of toxins or drugs. Those with distal axonopathies usually present with symmetrical glove-stocking sensori-motor disturbances. Deep tendon reflexes and autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions are also lost or diminished in affected areas.

Diabetic neuropathies are neuropathic disorders that are associated with diabetes mellitus. Relatively common conditions which may be associated with diabetic neuropathy include third nerve palsy; mononeuropathy; mononeuritis multiplex; diabetic amyotrophy; a painful polyneuropathy; autonomic neuropathy; and thoracoabdominal neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is the medical term for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of the nerve or from the side-effects of systemic illness. Major causes of peripheral neuropathy include seizures, nutritional deficiencies, and HIV, though diabetes is the most likely cause.

In an exemplary embodiment, a P₂Y₆-modulating compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, as described herein may be used to treat or prevent multiple sclerosis (MS), including relapsing MS and monosymptomatic MS, and other demyelinating conditions, such as, for example, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), or symptoms associated therewith.

In yet another embodiment, compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the present disclosure may be used to treat trauma to the nerves, including, trauma due to disease, injury (including surgical intervention), or environmental trauma (e.g., neurotoxins, alcoholism, etc.). In certain embodiments, compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the present disclosure may be used to treat traumatic brain injury, such as to improve cognitive function in a subject suffering from a traumatic brain injury. Without being bound by theory, there is often an increase in beta amyloid observed following traumatic brain injuries. The present disclosure provides methods suitable for enhancing clearance of beta amyloid or otherwise reducing beta amyloid and/or plaque burden in a subject.

Compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the present disclosure may also be useful to prevent, treat, and alleviate symptoms of various PNS disorders. The term “peripheral neuropathy” encompasses a wide range of disorders in which the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord—peripheral nerves—have been damaged. Peripheral neuropathy may also be referred to as peripheral neuritis, or if many nerves are involved, the terms polyneuropathy or polyneuritis may be used.

PNS diseases treatable with P₂Y₆-modulating compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, as described herein, include: diabetes, leprosy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome and Brachial Plexus Neuropathies (diseases of the cervical and first thoracic roots, nerve trunks, cords, and peripheral nerve components of the brachial plexus).

In another embodiment, compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the present disclosure may be used to treat or prevent a polyglutamine disease. Exemplary polyglutamine diseases include Spinobulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy disease), Huntington's Disease (HD), Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (Haw River syndrome), Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2, Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (Machado-Joseph disease), Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7, and Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides a method to treat a central nervous system cell to prevent damage in response to a decrease in blood flow to the cell. Typically the severity of damage that may be prevented will depend in large part on the degree of reduction in blood flow to the cell and the duration of the reduction. In some embodiments, apoptotic or necrotic cell death may be prevented. In still a further embodiment, ischemic-mediated damage, such as cytoxic edema or central nervous system tissue anoxemia, may be prevented. In each embodiment, the central nervous system cell may be a spinal cell or a brain cell.

Another aspect encompasses administrating a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, as described herein to a subject to treat a central nervous system ischemic condition. A number of central nervous system ischemic conditions may be treated by the compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, described herein.

In some embodiments, the ischemic condition is a stroke that results in any type of ischemic central nervous system damage, such as apoptotic or necrotic cell death, cytoxic edema or central nervous system tissue anoxia. The stroke may impact any area of the brain or be caused by any etiology commonly known to result in the occurrence of a stroke. In one alternative of this embodiment, the stroke is a brain stem stroke. In another alternative of this embodiment, the stroke is a cerebellar stroke. In still another embodiment, the stroke is an embolic stroke. In yet another alternative, the stroke may be a hemorrhagic stroke. In a further embodiment, the stroke is a thrombotic stroke.

In yet another aspect, compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the disclosure may be administered to reduce infarct size of the ischemic core following a central nervous system ischemic condition. Moreover, compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the present disclosure may also be beneficially administered to reduce the size of the ischemic penumbra or transitional zone following a central nervous system ischemic condition.

In some embodiments, a combination drug regimen may include drugs or compounds for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative disorders or secondary conditions associated with these conditions. Thus, a combination drug regimen may include one or more compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, as described herein and one or more anti-neurodegeneration agents.

In a particular embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for doing one or more of decreasing plaque burden, improving cognitive function, decreasing or delaying cognitive impairment, or improving hippocampal long term potentiation by administering to a subject in need thereof a P₂Y₆ agonist. These methods may also be used for one or more of enhancing beta amyloid clearance, increasing synaptic plasticity, or improving or restoring memory. The foregoing are exemplary of beneficial results that would help alleviate (e.g., treat) one or more symptoms of conditions associated with cognitive impairment. Exemplary conditions include AD, traumatic brain injury, and Down Syndrome, as well as other neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the disclosure contemplates the alleviation of symptoms in conditions and scenarios associated with milder forms of cognitive impairment, such as age-related dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and even to improve memory and cognitive function that typically declines, even in relatively healthy individuals, as part of the normal aging process. Exemplary such agonists, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, are described herein, and the disclosure contemplates that any such compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof can be used in the treatment of any of the conditions described herein. Regardless of whether one of the agonists described herein are used or whether another agonist is used, the disclosure contemplates that the agonist may be formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and administered by any suitable route of administration. These methods are of particular use when the subject in need thereof has Alzheimer's disease. It is understood by those of skill in the art that definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is difficult and may require post-mortem examination. Thus, in this context and in the context of the present disclosure, having Alzheimer's disease is used to refer to subjects who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or who are suspected by a physician of having Alzheimer's disease. However, these methods are also of particular use when the subject in need thereof has any other condition associated with cognitive impairment, for example, a condition in which the impairment is accompanied with an increase in beta amyloid, a decrease in the rate of beta amyloid clearance, and/or an increase in amyloid plaque deposition.

Cognitive function and cognitive impairment may be readily evaluated using tests well known in the art. Performance in these tests can be compared over time to determine whether a treated subject is improving or whether further decline has stopped or slowed, relative to the previous rate of decline of that patient or compared to an average rate of decline. Exemplary tests used in animal studies are provided in, for example, Animal Models of Cognitive Impairment, Levin E D, Buccafusco J J, editors. Boca Raton (Fla.): CRC Press; 2006. Tests of cognitive function, including memory and learning, for evaluating human patients are well known in the art and regularly used to evaluate and monitor subjects having or suspected of having cognitive disorders such as AD. Even in healthy individuals, these and other standard tests of cognitive function can be readily used to evaluate beneficial affects over time.

(2) Down Syndrome

Compounds or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the present disclosure may also be useful to prevent, treat, and alleviate symptoms of Down Syndrome (DS). Down Syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition characterized by trisomy of chromosome 21. DS is named after Dr. John Langdon Down, an English physician who first described the characteristics of DS in 1866. It was not until 1959 that Jerome Leieune and Patricia Jacobs independently first determined the cause to be trisomy of the 21st chromosome.

In recent years, it has become evident that there is relationship between Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and DS. Specifically, the production of excessive beta amyloid plaques and amyloid angeopathy occurs in both DS and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (Delabar et al. (1987) “Beta amyloid gene triplication in Alzheimer's disease and karyotypically normal Down Syndrome. Science 235: 1390-1392). Without being bound by theory, given that both AD and Down Syndrome are characterized by both beta amyloid plaques and cognitive impairment, methods and compositions that decrease plaque burden and/or enhance beta amyloid clearance are useful for treating AD and Down Syndrome (e.g., providing a beneficial effect and/or decreasing one or more symptoms of AD or Down Syndrome). Exemplary beneficial effects include, but are not limited to, improving cognitive function, decreasing cognitive impairment, decreasing plaque burden, enhancing beta amyloid clearance, improving memory, and the like.

(3) Pain

In certain aspects, the compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, as described herein can be used to treat patients having pain. Pain is a complex physiological process that involves a number of sensory and neural mechanisms. Compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, to be used according to the present disclosure are suitable for administration to a subject for treatment (including prevention and/or alleviation) of chronic and/or acute pain, in particular non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain such as back pain, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain, more particularly for reduction of the associated muscular hyperalgesia or muscular allodynia. Nonlimiting examples of types of pain that can be treated by the compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, compositions and methods of the present disclosure include chronic conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, including fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, back pain, pain during menstruation, pain during osteoarthritis, pain during rheumatoid arthritis, pain during gastrointestinal inflammation, pain during inflammation of the heart muscle, pain during multiple sclerosis, pain during neuritis, pain during AIDS, pain during chemotherapy, tumor pain, headache, CPS (chronic pain syndrome), central pain, neuropathic pain such as trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, stamp pain, phantom limb pain, temporomandibular joint disorder, nerve injury, migraine, post-herpetic neuralgia, neuropathic pain encountered as a consequence of injuries, amputation infections, metabolic disorders or degenerative diseases of the nervous system, neuropathic pain associated with diabetes, pseudesthesia, hypothyroidism, uremia, vitamin deficiency or alcoholism; and acute pain such as pain after injuries, postoperative pain, pain during acute gout or pain during operations, such as jaw surgery.

Acute pain is typically a physiological signal indicating a potential or actual injury. Chronic pain can be somatogenic (organic) or psychogenic. Chronic pain is frequently accompanied or followed by vegetative signs, such as, for example, lassitude or sleep disturbance. Acute pain may be treated with compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, as described herein.

Somatogenic pain may be of nociceptive, inflammatory or neuropathic origin. Nociceptive pain is related to activation of somatic or visceral pain-sensitive nerve fibers, typically by physical or chemical injury to tissues. Inflammatory pain results from inflammation, for example an inflammatory response of living tissues to any stimulus including injury, infection or irritation. Neuropathic pain results from dysfunction in the nervous system. Neuropathic pain is believed to be sustained by aberrant somatosensory mechanisms in the peripheral nervous system, the central nervous system (CNS), or both. According to one aspect of the disclosure, somatogenic pain may be treated by compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, as described herein.

Non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain is a particular form of chronic pain that is generally not traced to a specific structural or inflammatory cause and that generally does not appear to be induced by tissue damage and macrophage infiltration (resulting in edema) as occurs in a classical immune system response. Although non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain is believed to result from peripheral and/or central sensitization, the cause is not presently fully understood. It is often associated with physical or mental stress, lack of adequate or restful sleep, or exposure to cold or damp. Non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain is also believed to be associated with or precipitated by systemic disorders such as viral or other infections. Examples of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain include neck and shoulder pain and spasms, low back pain, and achy chest or thigh muscles, which may be treated by a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure. Non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain may be generalized or localized.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, as described herein may be administered to a subject to treat fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). FMS and MPS are medical conditions characterized by fibromyalgia and myofascial pain respectively, which are two types of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain. FMS is a complex syndrome associated with significant impairment of quality of life and can result in substantial financial costs. Fibromyalgia is a systemic process that typically causes tender points (local tender areas in normal-appearing tissues) in particular areas of the body and is frequently associated with a poor sleep pattern and/or stressful environment. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is typically based on a history of widespread pain (e.g., bilateral, upper and lower body, and/or spinal pain), and presence of excessive tenderness on applying pressure to a number of (sometimes more precisely defined as at least 11 out of 18) specific muscle-tender sites. FMS is typically a chronic syndrome that causes pain and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic non-degenerative, non-inflammatory musculoskeletal condition often associated with spasm or pain in the masticatory muscles. Distinct areas within muscles or their delicate connective tissue coverings (fascia) become abnormally thickened or tight. When the myofascial tissues tighten and lose their elasticity, the ability of neurotransmitters to send and receive messages between the brain and body is disrupted. Specific discrete areas of muscle may be tender when firm fingertip pressure is applied; these areas are called tender or trigger points. Symptoms of MPS include muscle stiffness and aching and sharp shooting pains or tingling and numbness in areas distant from a trigger point. The discomfort may cause sleep disturbance, fatigue and depression. Most commonly trigger points are in the jaw (temporomandibular) region, neck, back or buttocks. Myofascial pain differs from fibromyalgia: MPS and FMS are two separate entities, each having its own pathology, but sharing the muscle as a common pathway of pain. Myofascial pain is typically a more localized or regional (along the muscle and surrounding fascia tissues) pain process that is often associated with trigger point tenderness. Myofascial pain can be treated by a variety of methods (sometimes in combination) including stretching, ultrasound, ice sprays with stretching, exercises, and injections of anesthetic.

A further non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain condition is back pain, notably low back pain, which may also be treated with a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure. This condition may also be treating by administering a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure to a subject in need thereof. Back pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom that may be either acute or chronic. It may be caused by a variety of diseases and disorders that affect the lumbar spine. Low back pain is often accompanied by sciatica, which is pain that involves the sciatic nerve and is felt in the lower back, the buttocks, and the backs of the thighs.

Compositions and Modes of Administration

It will be appreciated that compounds and agents, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, used in the compositions and methods of the present disclosure preferably should readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier when peripherally administered. Compounds which cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier, however, can still be effectively administered directly into the central nervous system, e.g., by an intraventricular route.

In some embodiments of this disclosure, the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure is formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In other embodiments, no carrier is used. For example, the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, as described herein can be administered alone or as a component of a pharmaceutical formulation (therapeutic composition). The compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, may be formulated for administration in any convenient way for use in human medicine.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that may be used in these compositions include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, polyethylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, polyethylene glycol and wool fat.

In some embodiments, the therapeutic methods of the disclosure include administering the composition of a compound or agent, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, topically, systemically, or locally. For example, therapeutic compositions of compounds or agents, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, of the disclosure may be formulated for administration by, for example, injection (e.g., intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly), inhalation or insufflation (either through the mouth or the nose) or oral, buccal, sublingual, transdermal, nasal, or parenteral administration. The compositions of compounds or agents, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, described herein may be formulated as part of an implant or device, or formulated for slow or extended release. When administered parenterally, the therapeutic composition of compounds or agents, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, for use in this disclosure is preferably in a pyrogen-free, physiologically acceptable form. Techniques and formulations generally may be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Meade Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administration may comprise the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable sterile isotonic aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions, or sterile powders which may be reconstituted into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use, which may contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient or suspending or thickening agents. Examples of suitable aqueous and non-aqueous carriers which may be employed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the disclosure include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.

A composition comprising a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure may also contain adjuvants, such as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like into the compositions. In addition, prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption, such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

In certain embodiments of the disclosure, compositions comprising a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure can be administered orally, e.g., in the form of capsules, cachets, pills, tablets, lozenges (using a flavored basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth), powders, granules, or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsion, or as an elixir or syrup, or as pastilles (using an inert base, such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia) and the like, each containing a predetermined amount of the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure as an active ingredient.

In solid dosage forms for oral administration (capsules, tablets, pills, dragees, powders, granules, and the like), one or more compositions comprising the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure may be mixed with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate, and/or any of the following: (1) fillers or extenders, such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and/or silicic acid; (2) binders, such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sucrose, and/or acacia; (3) humectants, such as glycerol; (4) disintegrating agents, such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate; (5) solution retarding agents, such as paraffin; (6) absorption accelerators, such as quaternary ammonium compounds; (7) wetting agents, such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate; (8) absorbents, such as kaolin and bentonite clay; (9) lubricants, such a talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof; and (10) coloring agents. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise buffering agents. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugars, as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs. In addition to the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, coloring, perfuming, and preservative agents.

Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, or salts and/or prodrugs thereof, may contain suspending agents such as ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol, and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixtures thereof.

A person of ordinary skill in the art, such as a physician, is readily able to determine the required amount of the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure to treat the subject using the compositions and methods of this disclosure. It is understood that the dosage regimen will be determined for an individual, taking into consideration, for example, various factors that modify the action of a compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure, the severity or stage of the disease, route of administration, and characteristics unique to the individual, such as age, weight, size, and extent of cognitive impairment.

It is well-known in the art that normalization to body surface area is an appropriate method for extrapolating doses between species. To calculate the human equivalent dose (HED) from a dosage used in the treatment of age-dependent cognitive impairment in rats, the formula HED (mg/kg)=rat dose (mg/kg)×0.16 may be employed (see Estimating the Safe Starting Dose in Clinical Trials for Therapeutics in Adult Healthy Volunteers, December 2002, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research). For example, using that formula, a dosage of 10 mg/kg in rats is equivalent to 1.6 mg/kg in humans. This conversion is based on a more general formula HED=animal dose in mg/kg×(animal weight in kg/human weight in kg)^(0.33). Similarly, to calculate the HED can be calculated from a dosage used in the treatment in mouse, the formula HED (mg/kg)=mouse dose (mg/kg)×0.08 may be employed (see Estimating the Safe Starting Dose in Clinical Trials for Therapeutics in Adult Healthy Volunteers, December 2002, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research).

In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the dose of the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, or composition of the present disclosure is between 0.00001 and 100 mg/kg/day (which, given a typical human subject of 70 kg, is between 0.0007 and 7000 mg/day).

In addition to compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure, the compositions and methods of this disclosure can also include other therapeutically useful agents. These other therapeutically useful agents may be administered in a single formulation, simultaneously or sequentially with the compound, or salt and/or prodrug thereof, of the present disclosure according to the methods of the disclosure.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the compositions and methods described herein may be adapted and modified as is appropriate for the application being addressed and that the compositions and methods described herein may be employed in other suitable applications, and that such other additions and modifications will not depart from the scope hereof. For example, the compounds of the disclosure are also useful as agents for agonizing P₂Y₆, and can be used in vitro or in vivo to study normal and abnormal P₂Y₆ function.

This disclosure will be better understood from the Experimental Details which follow. However, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the specific methods and results discussed are merely illustrative of the disclosure as described more fully in the embodiments which follow thereafter.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Triethylamine and Sodium Salts of Compound 6

Scheme 2 below provides a general synthetic route for the preparation of the triethylamine (TEA) and sodium salts of compound 6.

Step 1: Synthesis of Compound 47

To a solution of compound 42 (3.0 g, 8.11 mmol) in DMF (90 mL) was added Y01 (3.0 g, 16.22 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (4.47 g, 16.22 mmol), the resulting mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 1 h. After cooling down, the mixture was diluted with 250 mL water, extracted with ethyl acetate (EA) (250 mL×3), the organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, concentrated to give a crude product. The crude product was purified on column (eluted with PE/EA=3:1) to give 3.61 g 47 as a colorless oil, yield: 94%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.36 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.27 (m, 4H), 7.25-7.18 (m, 1H), 5.98 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 5.81 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 2H), 4.35 (s, 3H), 4.13 (m, 2H), 3.01-2.84 (m, 2H), 2.14 (dd, J=12.1, 4.2 Hz, 9H), 1.26 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 1H).

Step 2: Synthesis of Compound 48

3.61 g 47 was dissolved in 150 mL 5N NH₃/methanol then stirred at room temperature for 12 hrs. After the reaction was finished, methanol was removed under vacuum to give the crude product. The crude product was recrystallized from EA to give 1.94 g 48 as a white solid, yield: 73%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 7.95 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.37-7.11 (m, 5H), 5.77 (m, 2H), 5.42 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (m, 1H), 4.06-3.88 (m, 4H), 3.84 (m, 1H), 3.64 (m, 1H), 3.53 (m, 1H), 2.80 (t, J=9.0 Hz, 2H).

Step 3: Synthesis of the Triethylamine (TEA) Salt of Compound 6

To a solution of compound 48 (500 mg, 1.44 mmol) in 7.2 mL trimethyl phosphate was added proton sponge (460 mg, 2.15 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere followed by POCl₃ (290 mg, 1.87 mmol) at 0° C. After 1 h of stirring at 0-4° C., tri-n-butylamine (192 mg, 1.04 mmol) was added to the solution followed by 7.2 mL of 0.5M tri-n-butylammonium phosphate solution in dimethylformamide (DMF). After 5 min the mixture was poured into a cold 0.5M aqueous TEAB solution (45 mL, pH 7.5) and stirred at 0° C. for 10 min. The solution was allowed to warm to room temperature upon stirring and then left standing for 1 h. The mixture was extracted with tert-butyl methyl ether (50 mL×3), the aqueous solution was evaporated and lyophilized to yield white solid. The white solid was purified on prep-HPLC to give 82.8 mg compound 6 TEA salt, yield: 7.1%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.82 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.23-7.08 (m, 5H), 5.83 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.73 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 4.23-3.93 (m, 7H), 3.12-2.94 (m, 16H), 2.78 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.14 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 24H).

Step 4: Synthesis of the Sodium Salt of Compound 6

82.8 mg compound 6 TEA salt was changed to sodium salt by ion exchange resin to give Compound 6 sodium salt, 58.9 mg, yield: 100%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.84 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (m, 5H), 5.87 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 1H), 4.24-4.02 (m, 7H), 2.86 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, D₂O) δ −9.68 (d, J=20.7 Hz, 1P), −11.00 (d, J=20.9 Hz, 1P).

Example 2 Preparation of Triethylamine and Sodium Salts of Compound 3

Scheme 3 below provides a general synthetic route for the preparation of the triethylamine (TEA) and sodium salts of compound 3.

Step 1: Synthesis of Compound 49

Compound 49 was prepared from compound 42 according to the same procedure as described in step 1 of Example 1. 2.98 g compound 49 was obtained from 3.0 g compound 42, yield: 79.7%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.47 (d, J=4.7 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (m, 1H), 7.43 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.19-7.07 (m, 2H), 6.01 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 5.85 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.36-5.26 (m, 2H), 5.20 (s, 2H), 4.31 (s, 3H), 2.05 (t, J=10.5 Hz, 9H).

Step 2: Synthesis of Compound 50

Compound 50 was prepared from compound 49 according to the same procedure as described in step 2 of Example 1. 1.79 g compound 50 was obtained from 2.98 g compound 49, yield: 82.7%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.42 (d, J=3.5 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.76-7.67 (m, 1H), 7.26-7.18 (m, 2H), 5.81 (dd, J=14.9, 6.5 Hz, 2H), 5.44 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.23-5.01 (m, 4H), 4.03 (m, 1H), 3.96 (m, 1H), 3.84 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.59 (m, 1H), 3.53 (m, 1H).

Step 3: Synthesis of the TEA Salt of Compound 3

The TEA salt of compound 3 was prepared from compound 50 according to the same procedure as described in step 3 of Example 1. 8.6 mg compound 3 TEA salt was obtained from 100 mg compound 50, yield: 4%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 8.38-8.26 (m, 1H), 7.96 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (m, 1H), 7.34-7.19 (m, 2H), 5.94 (m, 2H), 5.13 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 2H), 4.32-4.27 (m, 2H), 4.21-4.11 (m, 3H), 3.08 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 13H), 1.16 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 23H).

Step 4: Synthesis of the Sodium Salt of Compound 3

The sodium salt of compound 3 was prepared from the TEA salt of compound 3 according to the same procedure as described in step 4 of Example 1. 24.9 mg compound 3 sodium salt was obtained from 31 mg compound 3 TEA salt, yield: 99%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 8.31 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 6.01 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.86 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (s, 2H), 4.28 (m, 5H). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, D₂O) δ −6.73 (d, J=21.9 Hz), −10.54 (d, J=21.9 Hz).

Example 3 Preparation of Triethylamine and Sodium Salts of Compound 4

Scheme 4 below provides a general synthetic route for the preparation of the triethylamine (TEA) and sodium salts of compound 4.

Step 1: Synthesis of Compound 51

To a solution of compound 42 (1.061 g, 1.87 mmol), Y03 (930 mg, 5.73 mmol) and PPh₃ (1.501 g, 5.73 mmol) in 25 mL THF was added dropwise a solution of DIAD (1.159 g, 5.73 mmol) in 5 mL THF over 30 min, the resulting mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 3 h. After the reaction was finished, THF was removed to give the crude product. The crude product was purified on column (eluted with EA) to give 1.37 g compound 51 as an oil, yield: 88.8%.

Step 2: Synthesis of Compound 52

Compound 52 was prepared from compound 51 according to the same procedure as described in step 2 of Example 1. 0.8 g compound 52 was obtained from 1.37 g compound 51, yield: 77.4%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 7.99 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.87-5.76 (m, 2H), 5.38 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 2H), 5.12-5.06 (m, 1H), 4.01 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 3.94 (s, 4H), 3.84 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 1H), 3.68-3.46 (m, 2H).

Step 3: Synthesis of the TEA Salt of Compound 4

The TEA salt of compound 4 was prepared from compound 52 according to the same procedure as described in step 3 of Example 1. 8.1 mg compound 4 TEA salt was obtained from 100 mg compound 52, yield: 4%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.91 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.11 (m, 1H), 5.98 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.88 (d, J=4.2 Hz, 1H), 5.32 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 2H), 4.26 (m, 2H), 4.15 (m, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.07 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 12H), 1.23-1.09 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 20H).

Step 4: Synthesis of the Sodium Salt of Compound 4

The sodium salt of compound 4 was prepared from the TEA salt of compound 4 according to the same procedure as described in step 4 of Example 1. 64.3 mg compound 4 sodium salt was obtained from 80 mg compound 4 TEA salt, yield: 98%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.74 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (m, 1H), 6.79 (m, 2H), 5.84 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.73 (d, J=4.1 Hz, 1H), 4.92 (s, 2H), 4.29-4.06 (m, 5H), 3.55 (s, 3H). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, D₂O) δ −9.88 (d, J=19.7 Hz, 1P), −10.82 (d, J=19.7 Hz, 1P).

Example 4 Preparation of Triethylamine and Sodium Salts of Compound 1

Scheme 5 below provides a general synthetic route for the preparation of the triethylamine (TEA) and sodium salts of compound 1.

Step 1: Synthesis of Compound 53

Compound 53 was prepared from compound 42 according to the same procedure as described in step 1 of Example 1. A crude product of compound 53 was obtained from 1.14 g compound 42. The crude product was used in the next step directly without further purification.

Step 2: Synthesis of Compound 54

Compound 54 was prepared from compound 53 according to the same procedure as described in step 2 of Example 1. 700 mg compound 54 was obtained from the 1.14 g compound 53, yield: 59.2%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 7.99 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.46-7.52 (m, 5H), 5.72-5.82 (m, 2H), 5.07-5.10 (m, 1H), 4.45-4.55 (m, 2H), 3.92-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.86 (s, 1H), 3.54-3.64 (m, 2H), 3.30-3.32 (m, 1H).

Step 3: Synthesis of the TEA Salt of Compound 1

The TEA salt of compound 1 was prepared from compound 54 according to the same procedure as described in step 3 of Example 1. 8.6 mg compound 1 TEA salt was obtained from 100 mg compound 54, yield: 5%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.80 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (m, 5H), 5.85 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.72 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 4.49 (m, 2H), 4.12 (m, 6H), 3.07 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 4H), 1.16 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 6H).

Step 4: Synthesis of the Sodium Salt of Compound 1

The sodium salt of compound 1 was prepared from the TEA salt of compound 1 according to the same procedure as described in step 4 of Example 1. 28.3 mg compound 1 sodium salt was obtained from 30 mg compound 1 TEA salt, yield: 100%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.88 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.50-7.38 (m, 5H), 5.89 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.73 (d, J=4.1 Hz, 1H), 4.55 (m, 2H), 4.31-4.04 (m, 5H). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, D₂O) δ −8.13 (d, J=21.6 Hz, 1P), −10.86 (d, J=21.7 Hz, 1P).

Example 5 Preparation of Triethylamine and Sodium Salts of Compound 5

Scheme 5 below provides a general synthetic route for the preparation of the triethylamine (TEA) and sodium salts of compound 5.

Step 1: Synthesis of Compound 55

Compound 55 was prepared from compound 42 according to the same procedure as described in step 1 of Example 1. 4.2 g compound 55 was obtained from 3.0 g compound 42, yield: 100%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.79 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (dd, J=3.7, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 7.45 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 6.04 (d, J=4.7 Hz, 1H), 5.89 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.50 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 2H), 5.33 (m, 2H), 4.34 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 3H), 2.10 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H), 2.04 (s, 3H).

Step 2: Synthesis of Compound 56

Compound 56 was prepared from compound 55 according to the same procedure as described in step 2 of Example 1. 2.36 g compound 56 was obtained from 4.2 g compound 55, yield: 75.6%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.06 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.86 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.76-7.61 (m, 4H), 7.39 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 5.89 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 5.80 (m, 2H), 5.38-5.42 (m, 3H), 5.16 (m, 1H), 3.85-4.04 (m, 2H), 3.50-3.66 (m, 2H).

Step 3: Synthesis of the TEA Salt of Compound 5

The TEA salt of compound 5 was prepared from compound 56 according to the same procedure as described in step 3 of Example 1. 26.3 mg compound 5 TEA salt was obtained from 300 mg compound 56, yield: 5%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.80 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.31 (m, 1H), 7.12 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.90 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.80 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 5.22 (s, 2H), 4.27-4.00 (m, 6H), 2.98 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 7H), 1.07 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 10H).

Step 4: Synthesis of the Sodium Salt of Compound 5

The sodium salt of compound 5 was prepared from the TEA salt of compound 5 according to the same procedure as described in step 4 of Example 1. 51.5 mg compound 5 sodium salt was obtained from 55 mg compound 5 TEA salt, yield: 99%. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 7.98 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.63-7.54 (m, 2H), 7.35 (m, 1H), 6.03 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.89 (d, J=4.2 Hz, 1H), 5.45 (s, 2H), 4.31 (m, 2H), 4.15 (m, 3H). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, D₂O) δ −7.95 (d, J=21.2 Hz, 1P), −10.80 (d, J=21.5 Hz, 1P).

The sodium salts of compounds 44-49 were prepared according to similar synthetic procedures as those used for preparing compound 5 (see Scheme 5 above). The characterization of these sodium salts are summarized in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Characterization of compounds 44-49: Compound Characterization

White solid, yield: 3% ¹H NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ 7.92 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.51-7.52 (1H, m), 7.21-7.25 (1H, m), 7.01-7.06 (1H, m), 5.98 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz), 5.88 (1H, d, J = 4 Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 4.25-4.24 (2H, m), 4.16-4.11 (3H, m). ³¹P NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ −10.78 (1P, d, J = 15.4 Hz), −11.36 (1P, d, J = 15.5 Hz).

White solid, yield: 3% ¹H NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ 8.01 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.58-7.56 (1H, m), 7.40-7.31 (2H, m), 6.04 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz), 5.90 (1H, s), 5.48 (1H, s), 4.37-4.30 (2H, m), 4.18- 4.17 (3H, m). ³¹P NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ −6.87 (1P, d, J = 16.1 Hz), −10.91 (1P, d, J = 16.7 Hz).

White solid, yield: 4.6% ¹H NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ 8.02 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.48 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.38 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.14 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz), 6.05 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 5.90 (1H, s), 5.60 (1H, s), 4.34-4.31 (2H, m), 4.22- 4.20 (3H, m). ³¹P NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ −5.79 (1P, d, J = 14.2 Hz), −10.01 (1P, d, J = 13.7 Hz).

White solid, yield: 5.3% ¹H NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ 7.98 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.44 (1H, s), 7.39 (1H, s), 6.01 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 5.86 (1H, d, J = 4.0 Hz), 5.37 (2H, s), 4.35-4.33 (1H, m), 4.28- 4.26 (1H, m), 4.16-4.15 (3H, m). ³¹P NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ −6.57 (1P, d, J = 16.7 Hz), −10.87 (1P, d, J = 16.7 Hz).

White solid, yield: 5.3% ¹H NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ 7.96 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.57 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.35 (1H, s), 7.16 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 6.01 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 5.89 (1H, d, J = 4.0 Hz), 5.40 (2H, s), 4.30-4.26 (2H, m), 4.18-4.11 (3H, m), 2.40 (3H, s). ³¹P NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ −10.35 (1P, d, J = 15.3 Hz), −11.32 (1P, d, J = 15.4 Hz).

White solid, yield: 3% ¹H NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ 7.97 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.51 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.35 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 7.21 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz), 6.03 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 5.91 (1H, d, J = 4.0 Hz), 5.41 (2H, s), 4.30-4.28 (2H, m), 4.21-4.12 (3H, m), 2.40 (3H, s). ³¹P NMR (400 MHz, D2O): δ −10.73 (1P, d, J = 15.3 Hz), −11.33 (1P, d, J = 15.1 Hz).

Example 6 Materials and Methods for In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Activation of P₂Y₆ Receptor

Synthetic ligands were tested for activation of P₂Y₆ receptor by measuring receptor induced Ca²⁺ changes with the fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator fluo-4. 1321N1 human astrocytoma cell lines either expressing P₂Y₂, P₂Y₄ or P₂Y₆ receptors were plated into 24-well plates. Two days after plating, fluorometric measurements were made and responses of cells to a serial dilution of ligands were determined. P₂Y₆ mediated Ca²⁺ fluorescent change was determined by normalized accumulation of fluorescent change of 3 timepoints after ligand administration subtracted by value from ACSF control. Changes in fluorescent intensity were plotted corresponding to ligand concentration in GraphPad. Dose-response curve and EC₅₀ for each ligand was estimated using nonlinear curve fit and Sigmoidal dose-response analysis. The sodium salt of compound 5 exhibited an EC₅₀ of 12 nM. The sodium salt of compound 5 was demonstrated to selectively activate P₂Y₆ receptors by comparing its Ca²⁺ mobilizing effects in three 1321N1 human astrocytoma cell lines expressing P₂Y₂, P₂Y₄ or P₂Y₆ receptors. The sodium salt of compound 5 was only effective at elevating Ca²⁺ levels when applied to cells expressing P₂Y₆ receptors and not effective in P₂Y₂, or P₂Y₄ receptor expressing cells. The ability of the sodium salt of compound 5 to elevate Ca²⁺ signals in P₂Y₆ expressing cells was attenuated by addition of the P₂Y₆ antagonist MRS2578.

PSAPP Mice

Heterozygous mutant (K670N/M671L) APP (50% C57B6, 50% SJL) transgenic mice were crossed with heterozygous mutant (A246E) PS-1 (50% C57B6, 50% SJL) transgenic mice to generate heterozygous PSAPP transgenic mice (also referred to as PS-1/APP or PSAPP+/+ mice), which refers to animals heterozygous for the PS-1 A246E transgene and the APP K670N/M671L transgene. Non-transgenic control animals were littermates (also referred to as PSAPP_−/− mice) generated in the breeding for PSAPP transgenic animals. Mouse genotype was determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Both male and female mice of 6-7 months old were used for the experiments below. All animal experiments were performed in accordance with the Tufts Animal Care and Use Committee and with national regulations and policies.

Two-Photon In Vivo Imaging Study

In this study, PSAPP mice were anesthetized using isoflurane and a thin-skull preparation was used to minimize the surface damage. Amyloid plaques were visualized with methoxyX04 labeling and blood plasma was labeled with Rhodamine dextran to facilitate re-localization of the same imaging area. Stack images were obtained using a two-photon system (Prairie Technologies) with excitation at 850 nm. The emission was detected by external photomultiplier tubes (525/70; DLCP 575; 607/45 nm).

Stereotaxic Injection

Animals were anesthetized and immobilized in a stereotaxic frame. For each injection, 1 μl of 10 mM UDP or other suitable compounds in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) as the vehicle were injected intraventricularly using the following coordinates: AP 0.2 mm, ML 1 mm, and DV 2.2 mm.

Histology and Immunohistochemistry

Mice were perfused transcardially with 4% paraformaldehyde and 40 μm Coronal sections were collected. Sections were sequentially incubated in 0.3% H₂O₂ for 10 minutes, blocking solution for 2 hrs, blocking solution containing the primary antibody (rabbit anti-beta1-42; rabbit anti-beta1-40, from Chemicon International and rat anti-CD45) for 48 hours at 4° C., and blocking solution containing biotinylated antibody or fluorescently-labeled antibody for 2 hours at room temperature. Sections were visualized in a bright field microscope or a confocal microscope, and the optical density was obtained using MetaMorph software.

Fear Conditioning Test

On day one, animals were trained in a fear conditioning apparatus for a total of 7 minutes with a two-pairing paradigm of cue and mild foot shock (a 30-s acoustic-conditioned stimulus, 80 dB; a 2-s shock stimulus, 0.5 mA). To evaluate contextual fear learning, the animals were returned to the training context 24 hours post-training, and freezing behavior was scored for 5 minutes. Freezing behavior was monitored by MotorMonitor (Hamilton Kinder) and scored every 5 seconds.

Electrophysiology and Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) Recording

Hippocampal slices (350 mm thick) were prepared from 6-month-old PSAPP mice. Baseline responses were obtained every 10 seconds and Input-output (I/O) curves, paired-pulse modification and LTP were successively measured. The stimulation intensity was set to a level that gives a value of 30% of the maximum obtained. LTP were induced by high frequency stimulation (HFS, 100 pulses at 100 Hz, four times) or by theta-burst stimulation (TBS, 10 bursts at 5 Hz, repeated 10 times in 15 s intervals).

Example 7 Dose-Dependent Activation of P₂Y₆ Receptor

Synthetic ligands were tested for activation of P₂Y₆ receptor by measuring receptor induced Ca²⁺ changes with the fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator fluo-4, and results are shown in FIG. 10(A)-(K). 1321N1 human astrocytoma cell lines either expressing P₂Y₂, P₂Y₄ or P₂Y₆ receptors were plated into 24-well plates. Two days after plating, fluorometric measurements were made and responses of cells to a serial dilution of ligands were determined. P₂Y₆ mediated Ca²⁺ fluorescent change was determined by normalized accumulation of fluorescent change of 3 timepoints after ligand administration subtracted by value from ACSF control. Changes in fluorescent intensity were plotted corresponding to ligand concentration in GraphPad. Dose-response curve and EC₅₀ for each ligand was estimated using nonlinear curve fit and Sigmoidal dose-response analysis. The sodium salt of compound 5 exhibited an EC₅₀ of 12 nM. The sodium salt of compound 5 was demonstrated to selectively activate P₂Y₆ receptors by comparing its Ca²⁺ mobilizing effects in three 1321N1 human astrocytoma cell lines expressing P₂Y₂, P₂Y₄ or P₂Y₆ receptors. The sodium salt of compound 5 was only effective at elevating Ca²⁺ levels when applied to cells expressing P₂Y₆ receptors and not effective in P₂Y₂, or P₂Y₄ receptor expressing cells. The ability of the sodium salt of compound 5 to elevate Ca²⁺ signals in P₂Y₆ expressing cells was attenuated by addition of the P₂Y₆ antagonist MRS2578. These experiments demonstrated that compound 5 is a P₂Y₆ agonist.

Example 8 Acute UDP Administration Reduced Plaque Burden in PSAPP Mice

To evaluate the effect of UDP on plaque burden, two-photon microscopy was used to assess the amyloid plaques in the barrel cortex in living PSAPP mice. Amyloid plaques were stained by systemically administered methoxy-X04. One day prior to imaging, PSAPP mice were injected with methoxyX04 to label the amyloid plaques. On the imaging day, to facilitate the re-location of the same imaging area, blood plasma was labeled with Rhodamine dextran. Images were obtained from the same start- and end-point to ensure the same image volume.

The results were shown in a maximum intensity projection of a fluorescent stack containing 45 planes. Representative images of methoxyX04 labeled amyloid plaques and angiopathy on days 1 are shown in FIG. 1(A)-(C). Immediately after imaging, animals were injected with ACSF or UDP intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) and allowed to recover. On day 4, animals were subjected to a second period of imaging of the same regions studied on day 1 and the results are shown in FIG. 1(D)-(F). The similar pattern of angiopathy (shown by open arrows) indicated the same imaging area.

Overall, decreased plaque occupied-area was observed on day 4 following administration of UDP. In the images with higher magnification (FIGS. 1(C) and (F)), the same dense core plaques (as shown by arrows) could be identified based on its morphology and location relative to the blood vessel. It was observed that the dense core plaques had more intense methoxyX04 labeling, but with decreased plaque size (as shown by arrows), when compared to the size of the same plaques on day 1. This suggested that acute UDP treatment reduced plaques size in live animals. This effect was further evaluated by quantifying the number of plaques, plaque load, and size of cross-section of individual plaques. See FIG. 2(A)-(E). Quantitative analysis showed that acute UDP treatment led to a 12.6% reduction in the number of plaques (P<0.01) and a 17.2% reduction in plaque load (P<0.01) in barrel cortex as assessed by two-photon microscopy. Individual identified plaques that were detected on the second imaging session showed an 18.2% reduction (P<0.01) in cross-sectional area following UDP treatment.

After repeated imaging, brains were fixed and subjected to postmortem immunohistochemistry with amyloid beta specific antibodies β1-40 and β1-42 to evaluate the plaque load (area occupied by immunostaining of plaque) in cortex and hippocampus. See FIG. 3(A)-(D). UDP treatment resulted in a 60% (p<0.05) and 62% (p<0.01) decrease in plaque load in the cortex and hippocampus, respectively, as assessed by staining with the β1-40 antibody. Quantification of staining with β1-42 antibody showed a 48% (P<0.01) and 47% (P<0.05) decrease in plaque load in the cortex and hippocampus, respectively. See FIG. 4(A)-(F). Both in vivo imaging and post hoc staining showed decrease in plaque burden in brains of PSAPP mice, consistent with reduced plaque load in the tested animals following acute administration of UDP (e.g., a P₂Y₆ agonist).

Example 9 Activation of P₂Y₆ Receptors Reduced Plaque Burden in PSAPP Mice

3-phenacyl-UDP (also referred to as PSB0474) is a potent and selective P₂Y₆ receptor agonist (EC50=70 nM, >500-fold selective). In this study, P₂Y₆ receptor was activated in vivo using 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474). The effect of this activation may have on plaque burden was also evaluated.

PSB0474 was systemically administered to PSAPP mice via intraperitoneal injection for 2, 4 and 6 consecutive days. In one group, prior to evaluation and following to administration for 6 consecutive days, treatment was suspended for two weeks (6+2 weeks group). Brains were then fixed and plaque load was evaluated by immunostaining with the amyloid beta specific antibodies: β1-40 and β1-42. Representative images of plaque load in cortex and hippocampus from animals that received injections of PSB0474 according to the foregoing injection schedules are shown in FIG. 5(A)-(D). Quantitative data showed that administration of PSB0474 for 4 and 6 consecutive days significantly decreased immunoreactivity of β1-40 in both cortex and hippocampus (FIG. 6(A) and 6(B)). Whereas, when administration of PSB0474 was stopped for 2 weeks following six consecutive days of treatment (denoted as the 6+2 weeks group), β1-40 staining rebounded; although to a level lower than observed in mice treated with saline as a vehicle control.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict the reduction in plaque load (%) the cortex and hippocampus, respectively, in PSAPP mice after treatment with 3-phenacyl-UDP for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, as assayed by staining with the β1-40 antibody. FIGS. 6C-6F depict data obtained following administration of different dosages of PSB0474. It is important to note that a 1000× increase in dose of PSB0474 did not cause detrimental effects to the animal, suggesting that there is a wide therapeutic window for P2Y6 receptor agonists. However, with the higher dose of 1 mg/kg we did observe smaller effects on the efficacy endpoint presumably because the enhanced receptor occupancy led to some desensitization/internalization of the P2Y6 receptor. This result indicates that activation of P₂Y₆ significantly attenuated plaque load in both the cortex and hippocampus in PSAPP mice.

Example 10 Acute UDP Administration Improved Cognitive Function and Hippocampal LTP in PSAPP Mice

Amyloid beta peptide has been reported to be toxic to synaptic transmission, and accumulation of amyloid protein is associated with cognitive impairment both in animal models of AD and in AD patients. Additionally, accumulation of amyloid protein is observed in other conditions associated with cognitive impairment, such as in Down Syndrome. Therefore, we further investigated in PSAPP mice whether the observed reduction in plaque burden would also lead to reversal in cognitive and memory deficits typically observed in AD patients, such as impaired cognition, impaired memory, and deficits in long-term potentiation (LTP).

In this study, the fear conditioning associative learning paradigm was used as a rapid cognition assay for PSAPP mice. This study allowed us to probe cognitive function with a single training day followed in 24 hours by tests for contextual and cued fear learning. Contextual fear learning is dependent upon a brain area that has been implicated as a locus for cognitive decline in AD: the hippocampus. Two pairings of CS-US for fear conditioning were followed 24 hours later by testing for contextual and cued fear learning. Previous studies have reported that PSAPP animals appear to have a selective hippocampus-dependent impairment in associative learning following two pairings of conditioned stimuli for fear conditioning.

In this study, it was found that PSAPP mice treated with ACSF showed low freezing behavior during 5 minute-testing time (FIG. 7(A)), which is similar to the level reported in previous study (Dineley, et al. 2002). After UDP treatment, PSAPP mice exhibited increased freezing behavior during the first 4 minutes but not during the last minute. Analysis of total freezing percentage (FIGS. 7(B) and 7(C)) showed that PSAPP mice treated with acute UDP exhibited significantly higher freezing behavior (49%±5%) compared to an animal treated with ACSF (18%±3%). This data suggested that acute UDP treatment rescued the deficit in contextual fear learning in PSAPP mice.

In the fear conditioning test mice exhibit a freezing behavior if they have a memory of the application of the aversive shock that was delivered 24 hours earlier. When placed in the appropriate environment the mice “freeze” and do not explore their environment as they anticipate the delivery of an additional shock. Thus the greater percent time that they exhibit freezing indicates a greater memory of their previous experience and thus improved memory. This represents a decrease in the cognitive impairment observed in the untreated mice.

Accumulated evidence has shown that amyloid peptides naturally secreted or isolated from Alzheimer's brains impair synaptic plasticity, especially hippocampal long-term potentiation (Walsh et al., 2002). Therefore, we further performed LTP recordings in PASPP mice and investigated whether P₂Y₆ receptor-mediated plaque clearance affects synaptic plasticity. In this study, LTP was successfully induced in CA1 area of the hippocampus in aged PSAPP mice with high-frequency stimulation (HFS, 100 pulses at 100 Hz, four times in 20 s intervals). First, it was observed that LTP at the schaffer collateral synapse within the CA1 region was depressed in PSAPP mice, as compared with littermates (FIG. 8(A)). This result confirmed previous reports about synaptic toxicity of Abeta. Acute UDP treatment reversed this LTP deficit in PSAPP mice, and the LTP significantly increased compared with mice injected with ACSF (FIG. 8(B)). Analysis of the last 15 min potentiation showed a significant increase in field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) in PSAPP mice treated with UDP, which is comparable to the level in PSAPP littermates (FIG. 8(C)). These data supports the conclusion that activation of P₂Y₆ rescues the LTP deficiency in PSAPP mice, which is consistent with improvement in cognition mediated by P₂Y₆ receptor.

Example 11 Activation of P₂Y₆ Receptor with Chronic Injection of PSB0474 Improved Cognitive Function of PSAPP Mice

Similar to acute UDP treatment, chronic injection of the P2Y6 agonist 3-phenacyl-UDP (PSB0474) increased total freezing percentage in context test in PSAPP mice (FIG. 9(A)-(C)). In this study, PSB0474 was administered at two different doses, both of which showed beneficial effect in improving cognitive function in the PSAPP mice.

Example 12 Activation of P₂Y₆ Receptor with Compound 5 Improved Cognitive Function of PSAPP Mice and Reduced Plaque Burden in PSAPP Mice

In this study, compound 5 was injected intraperitoneally into 6 to 7-month-old PSAPP and WT mice daily at two different doses, i.e., 1 ug/kg or 1 mg/kg of compound 5 (in 1% DMSO/PBS) for 7 consecutive days. Consistent with the results observed following acute UDP or PSB0474 treatment, treatment with compound 5 increased total freezing percentage in the context test in PSAPP mice (FIG. 11). FIG. 11 shows freezing behavior (freezing %) of PASPP mice in fear conditioning studies after treatment with vehicle control or compound 5. FIG. 11 depicts the results of experiments using the contextual fear conditioning test with PSAPP mice treated with vehicle control (black bar at center of graph). These mice showed significantly decreased freezing percentage compared to the age-matched wildtype animals (white bar); indicative of the memory deficits and cognitive impairment in PSAPP mice. Administration of compound 5 prior to testing significantly improved the freezing behavior (hatched bar at right of graph) compared to the control treatment. In fact, this behavior which is indicative of cognitive function and memory was restored to a level equivalent to that observed in wildtype animals. This result is consistent with the conclusion that compound 5 improved cognitive function (decreased cognitive deficits) in these mice, such as by improving memory and/or learning.

Treatment with compound 5 was also found to reduce the plaque burden in cortex and hippocampus of PSAPP mice (FIG. 12 (A)-(C)). FIG. 12 shows plaque load in the cortex (Cx) and hippocampus (Hp) of the PSAPP mice after treatment with compound 5 or vehicle control, as assayed using the amyloid beta specific antibody β1-42. FIG. 12A depicts the substantial decrease in AP plaque load (%) in the cortex following treatment with compound 5, in comparison to the vehicle control. FIG. 12B depicts the substantial decrease in AP plaque load (%) in the hippocampus following treatment with compound 5, in comparison to the vehicle control. FIG. 12C shows postmortem immunohistochemistry analysis of the plaque load in cortex and hippocampus of PSAPP mice after treatment with compound 5 or vehicle control. Amyloid beta specific antibody β1-42 was used in the analysis.

To generate these graphs showing plaque load, mice were euthanized, brain sections cut and antibodies directed against Aβ 42 were used to disclose Aβ plaques. Images were acquired digitally and an algorithm was applied to threshold the image so that plaques were isolated from the background. The algorithm then calculated the percent area of the field of view occupied by the plaques. 

1-30. (canceled)
 31. A compound of formula I:

or a salt thereof, wherein: A is an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring having up to 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, wherein the aromatic ring is independently and optionally substituted with one or more R⁷; X is independently selected from —O—, —S—, —N(R⁵)— and a (C1-C3)-aliphatic group independently and optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; Y is a bond or a (C1-C5)-aliphatic group independently and optionally substituted with one or more R⁴; Z and W are each independently selected from ═O, ═S, ═N(R⁵), or ═NOR⁵; R¹ is selected from: —H, halogen, —OR⁵, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃ or a (C1-C6)-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁷; R² and R³ are each independently selected from —OR⁵, —SR⁵, —NR⁵R⁶, —OC(O)R⁵, —OC(O)NR⁵R⁶, and —OC(O)OR⁵; each occurrence of R⁴ is independently selected from: halogen, —OR⁵, —NO₂, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —R⁵, 1,2-methylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, —N(R⁵)₂, —SR⁵, —SOR⁵, —SO₂R⁵, —SO₂N(R⁵)₂, —SO₃R⁵, —C(O)R⁵, —C(O)C(O)R⁵, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁵, —C(S)R⁵, —C(S)OR⁵, —C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)C(O)N(R⁵)₂, —OC(O)R⁵, —C(O)N(R⁵)₂, —OC(O)N(R⁵)₂, —C(S)N(R⁵)₂, —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHC(O)R⁵, —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)COR⁵, —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)C(O)OR⁵, —N(R⁵)N(R⁵)CON(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)SO₂R⁵, —N(R⁵)SO₂N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)C(O)OR⁵, —N(R⁵)C(O)R⁵, —N(R⁵)C(S)R⁵, —N(R⁵)C(O)N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)C(S)N(R⁵)₂, —N(COR⁵)COR⁵, —N(OR⁵)R⁵, —C(═NH)N(R⁵)₂, —C(O)N(OR⁵)R⁵, —C(═NOR⁵)R⁵, —OP(O)(OR⁵)₂, —P(O)(R⁵)₂, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, or —P(O)(H)(OR⁵); each occurrence of R⁵ is independently selected from: H—, (C1-C12)-aliphatic-, (C3-C10)-cycloalkyl- or -cycloalkenyl-, [(C3-C10)-cycloalkyl or -cycloalkenyl]-(C1-C12)-aliphatic-, (C6-C10)-aryl-, (C6-C10)-aryl-(C1-C12)aliphatic-, (C3-C10)-heterocyclyl-, (C6-C10)-heterocyclyl-(C1-C12)aliphatic-, (C5-C10)-heteroaryl-, or (C5-C10)-heteroaryl-(C1-C12)-aliphatic-; wherein two R⁵ groups bound to the same atom optionally form a 3- to 10-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring having up to 3 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O, S, SO, and SO₂, wherein said ring is optionally fused to a (C6-C10)aryl, (C5-C10)heteroaryl, (C3-C10)cycloalkyl, or a (C3-C10)heterocyclyl; and wherein each R⁵ group is independently and optionally substituted with one or more R⁷; R⁶ is selected from: —R⁵, —C(O)R⁵, —C(O)OR⁵, —C(O)N(R⁵)₂ and —S(O)₂R⁵; each occurrence of R⁷ is independently selected from: halogen, —OR⁸, —NO₂, —CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —R⁸, oxo, thioxo, 1,2-methylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, —N(R⁸)₂, —SR⁸, —SOR^(B), —SO₂R⁸, —SO₂N(R⁸)₂, —SO₃R⁸, —C(O)R⁸, —C(O)C(O)R⁸, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁸, —C(S)R⁸, —C(S)OR⁸, —C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)C(O)OR⁸, —C(O)C(O)N(R⁸)₂, —OC(O)R⁸, —C(O)N(R⁸)₂, —OC(O)N(R⁸)₂, —C(S)N(R⁸)₂, —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHC(O)R⁸, —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)COR⁸, —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)C(O)OR⁸, —N(R⁸)N(R⁸)CON(R⁸)₂, —N(R⁸)SO₂R⁸, —N(R⁸)SO₂N(R⁸)₂, —N(R⁸)C(O)OR⁸, —N(R⁸)C(O)R⁸, —N(R⁸)C(S)R⁸, —N(R⁸)C(O)N(R⁸)₂, —N(R⁸)C(S)N(R⁸)₂, —N(COR⁸)COR⁸, —N(OR⁸)R⁸, —C(═NH)N(R⁸)₂, —C(O)N(OR⁸)R⁸, —C(═NOR⁸)R⁸, —OP(O)(OR⁸)₂, —P(O)(R⁸)₂, —P(O)(OR⁸)₂, or —P(O)(H)(OR⁸); each occurrence of R⁸ is independently: H— or (C1-C6)-aliphatic-.
 32. The compound of claim 31, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁷.
 33. The compound of claim 31, wherein A is

wherein A is optionally further substituted with one or more R⁷.
 34. The compound of claim 31, wherein X is —O—.
 35. The compound of claim 31, wherein R¹ is —H, bromine, iodine, methyl, ethyl or —CF₃.
 36. The compound of claim 31, wherein Z is ═O or ═S.
 37. The compound of claim 31, wherein W is ═O or ═S.
 38. The compound of claim 31, wherein Y is a C1-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴.
 39. The compound of claim 31, wherein Y is a C2-aliphatic group optionally substituted with one or more R⁴.
 40. The compound of claim 39, wherein each occurrence of R⁴ is independently selected from halogen.
 41. The compound of claim 39, wherein each occurrence of R⁴ is independently a (C1-C3)-aliphatic group.
 42. The compound of claim 31, wherein R² is —OR⁵.
 43. The compound of claim 31, wherein R³ is —OR⁵.
 44. The compound of claim 31, wherein said compound is selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 45. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound according to claim 31 and an acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. 